Scope of career counselling in Pakistan

Is Career counselling more fruitful for high achieving students as they stand a better chance of getting acceptances in top-ranking universities?

High achievers manage to pave their way around and get to places somehow or the other. However, it is the second and third tier students who have the potential but need more assistance in channeling it correctly to be able to achieve their goals. The counsellor should facilitate students in understanding what they are interested in, and have the ability to pursue in the future. And then help the student in building a path leading to the career that they choose. Rapid advancement in technology has created awareness about higher education, but the students find almost no professional guidance for adaptation of available careers.

So the need for career guidance and counseling in Pakistan has grown significantly during last few years especially for schools and colleges students.

British Council commentary:

In Pakistan, percentage of school going children is alarmingly low and this number keeps decreasing as we move on to the higher classes. Only 26% of students make their way to higher education. So, 74% of the students drop out due to many reasons. Lack of timely guidance is a major reason in this regard. In addition to this, out of those who pursue their higher learning, a large number of students make wrong choices.

Due to lack of guidance and information, 250, 000+ students are suffering annually:

• 41, 000 students appear in entry test of medical colleges of which only 5,000 get admission

• 70,000+ students appear in entry test of engineering institutions of which only 7,200 get admission

• 150,000+ students of other groups are confused about choosing a discipline

Career guidance and counselling needs could only be satiated if schools educate and train their teachers in the use of career guidance and counselling tools and techniques.

SIEM Pakistan promotes various career counselling initiatives. To participate as a speaker or book a sponsorship in Education UK Counsellors Symposium 2015 in Karachi and Islamabad, please click here.