'Get a job while you're still in undergrad': Writer's advice on German Master's degrees sparks debate

Zuha Malik's claim that Rs4 million in savings is achievable on call centre salary divides Pakistani social media

A postmodernist feminist and writer Zuha Malik shared advice for women on costs of pursuing Master’s programs in Germany, attracting backlash from many.

🇵🇰 Girls, all Master's programs in Germany are free. You need to know German & you need to have PKR 4M in a locked bank account. Ik the latter sounds daunting but it's only 20 months of a 200K salary. You can literally make that at a call center. In the meantime, install Duolingo

— Zuha Malik (@zoemalyks_chai) April 6, 2026

In Malik's post on X, she explained that while tuition is free, there are still requirements to pursue a Master's degree in Germany. These include learning German, which can be done through Duolingo, having Rs4 million in savings, something Malik claimed can be achieved in under two months, and earning a monthly salary of Rs200,000 at a call centre in Pakistan.

Many criticised the writer's advice, pointing out that fresh graduates often earn only Rs30,000 to Rs60,000 per month. They argued that these earnings, amid rising inflation, rent, and living costs, make the savings that Malik talks about unrealistic for most. Others questioned Malik's assumptions regarding call centre salaries.

Malik, however, defended her advice, calling it achievable with discipline and skill-building, citing her own professional experience as an example.

This is why I keep telling you all every six to eight months and nobody listens: GET A JOB WHILE YOU'RE STILL IN UNDERGRAD. At this point, I've been working for ELEVEN years. (and I graduated at 19 which is something I will always brag about hehe) https://t.co/CuRqKUEtv2

— Zuha Malik (@zoemalyks_chai) April 6, 2026

She explained that her posts aimed to help young women earn money from home, criticising men for overreacting to a harmless piece of advice. She also criticised the women who joined in the backlash. "The girls who hopped on the bandwagon for the lulz, I'm ashamed of u & ur blocked," Malik wrote.

Btw I created an series of posts about what girls could do to make money home. The reason this blew up is because jobless broke men came in and started acting like braying zombies in my comments. The girls who hopped on the bandwagon for the lulz, I'm ashamed of u & ur blocked. https://t.co/qna6d9x6cQ

— Zuha Malik (@zoemalyks_chai) April 7, 2026

Further, she encouraged girls to take advantage of growing opportunities in Pakistan and abroad, including unpaid remote internships in the United States and free business idea plans.

Malik also shared examples of sucessful women including one of her friend who bought a house for her mom by getting graphic design clients on Upwork.

One of my friends literally bought her mother a house by getting graphic design clients on Upwork. Don't listen to the naysayers. Everything you dream of is already possible, otherwise you wouldn't dream of it. https://t.co/0ysJ0BtVvS

— Zuha Malik (@zoemalyks_chai) April 7, 2026

The debate sparked online discussion, with some making memes of Pakistanis reportedly queuing at the Germany visa office in response to the so-called “Zuha scheme.”

Pakistani's outside the German embassy for a visa after hearing about the Zuha scheme. https://t.co/L9nkTKv9Ou pic.twitter.com/sAdDbFybeq

— خان (@khantainer) April 6, 2026

Food brands also chimed in, saying they offer salaries of Rs200,000.

You can earn 200k per month by working in the OPTP kitchen.

— OPTP (@OPTP_PK) April 7, 2026

Another user joked on getting into a free Master's program in Sahiwal.

🇵🇰 Guys, all Master's programs in Republic of Sahiwal are free. You need to know Punjabi & you need to have PKR 15K in bank account for Roti & Daal. Ik the latter sounds daunting but it's only 15 months of 1K chori from Dad's wallet. You can literally make that being a Tiktoker.

— Rayyan (@RayyanGhani) April 6, 2026

The debate over Malik’s advice highlights the gap between aspirational success narratives and the economic realities many Pakistanis face, with some seeing her message as motivating while others view it as unrealistic given current financial constraints.