KARACHI:
Teenagers are frequently questioned about what profession they plan to take up in the future. They are constantly nagged by relatives and others about what they want to pursue when they graduate. What many don’t realise is that with so much uncertainty in Pakistan, choosing a career becomes a nerve-wracking affair.
Due to the lack of career counselors in educational institutions, students encounter several challenges. Often, students make decisions based on what their peers and elders recommend without taking into consideration their own interests. As a result, they struggle to comprehend the field they have chosen. Their motivation and focus slowly diminish, and eventually they just try to somehow pass the day in order to make a living. People in Pakistan don’t realise how important career counseling is for national development and growth. Unfortunately, Pakistan has failed to develop a strong assistance and counseling system. There is an immense dearth of counseling professionals in the country, leading students to choose fields that are not a good fit for their mental abilities. Most schools emphasise on the same three career paths namely business, engineering and medicine that have long been oversaturated with fresh graduates. Schools have failed to bridge the gap between the knowledge they acquire and its application onto the real world.
Career counseling is not a luxury but a responsibility that schools must accept since children spend the majority of their time in school. It is the only way to prepare future generations for a world that is continuously evolving.
Both private and public sector schools must play an active role and assist students in choosing careers that match their interests. With the rise of novel career paths that require modern skillsets, students must be given immediate help and guidance to make the transition from school to university and beyond.
Quratulain Siddiqui
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2021.
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