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CAREER COUNSELLING IN PAKISTAN

Research Report

By:

UNZEELA ASHRAF KHAN

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)

Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences

Under Supervision of

Mr. Suhail Ahmed Solangi

English Lecturer
Hamdard University

September, 2021
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Table of Contents

CERTIFICATE 3

ABSTRACT 4

1. Introduction 5

2. Review of Literature 6

3. Methodology 7

4. Result 8

5. Discussion 9

6. Conclusion 10

7. Recommendations 11

References 12

APPENDIX 13

Questioner
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CERTIFICATE

Researcher:
Name (s): UNZEELA ASHRAF KHAN
Designation: DPT
Department: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Qualification: DPT 3RD Semester

Signature: ___________________

Supervisor:
Name: Mr. Suhail Ahmed Solangi
Designation: English Lecturer & Program Coordinator
Department: English Department-FSSH
Qualification: M. Phil English Literature

Signature: ___________________

Co-Supervisor:
Name: Dr. Mubarak Ali
Designation: Coordinator (Academics)
Department: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)-FHMS
Qualification: DPT

Signature: ___________________

Date of Submission September-2021

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ABSTRACT

The major purpose of this study was to explore the need of career counseling at high school and

university leve lChoosing career is the most important and difficult phase of a student life. The

concept is not very much well-known in the country, for this reason, the study was conducted

with the purpose to investigate out. This study provides students perspective pertaining to career

counselling in Pakistan. It aims to investigate the result of academic career counseling on the

nature of students. Descriptive style of research was applied to execute the requirement of

research objective A questionnaire was used for data collection. Questionnaire was developed as

an instrument for data collection for the research. Findings reported that students did realize the

need of career counseling at university level and they considered the need of career counseling

essential for career consultation and decision making for the purpose of selection of suitable

courses at university level for their future career. There were found gender significant gender

differences where female students were found more in favor of career counseling than male.The

results showed that adequate career counseling services may not be available for college level

students. Students had to rely on other resources, including teachers, friends and family to make

career choices. However, universities students have some level of career counselling for their

future. As a result, students are unaware of their career options. Research recommends that

career counseling be made available to colleges’ students to provide maximum benefits to

college students across the country.

Key words: Career counselling, life career, students issues, academic care
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1. INTRODUCTION

Career counseling is something underestimated in many countries across the world. Pakistan is

one such country where career counseling only becomes necessary once we have completed

our higher secondary education. In recent conditions Every parent you meet; they want their

children to become an Engineer or a Doctor. They think that their child does not have many

career options available At times, previously and recently mostly in all over Pakistan about 75%

students do not try to ascertain their interests and aptitude towards a particular occupation. They

do not think about the fact that their career will choose the type of life they would lead in the

future. They will rely on her parents' decision and their own interests are put aside by their

parents and moreover by society and relatives.In this research article there are queries and

questions about why career Counseling is necessary in Pakistan among the students' recent

condition of career Counseling in Pakistan . There are many students who solve this

questionnaire and give their responses about career Counseling who are recently undergraduate,

some are enroll in post graduate from different fields like medicine , engineering , media

business , fashion , accounts , arts and so on from different medical engineering , business and

arts universities

Here are some important reasons which are included in the questionnaire why students in

Pakistan must get career counseling. Understand the Perks and Disadvantages of Pursuing a

Career

An important part of career counseling is to let the students know about the pros and cons of

choosing a profession. Students tend to get over ambitious about a particular job because they
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have heard good things about it from their peers. However, they cannot see the challenges that

come with each job.career counseling session helps them understand the various problems which

come along with choosing a profession. They can ascertain if they understand these potential

challenges and can overcome them. A career counselor gives them practical advice on those

aspects of a job they tend to overlook.

Career Counselors Understand Market Trends

Market trends keep changing now and then. There was a time when getting an engineering or

doctor degree made the future of a student secure. However, many new professions are offering

alternate career options to the students. A decade or more ago, students did not think of computer

software engineering as a lucrative occupationThese days a lot of students tend to opt for

computer science subjects in their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Career counseling helps

students set realistic expectations about the profession of their choice. A career counselor also

educates and informs them about other options that they have not been able to identify.

Career Counseling Helps You Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Your aptitude, skills set, and personality also play a significant role in choosing an occupation.

As a student, we tend to get distracted by money, peer pressure or other factors in selecting a

career. However, you may not be suitable for a particular profession. A career counseling session

helps you understand your traits. You can know your strengths and weaknesses to see which job

will suit you best. It is important for you to choose a profession that you like. If you get into a

profession just for the sake of earning more money, you may not like it. If you do not like your

profession, you will not be able to become very successful at it.

Well Set Target Lets You Better Focus Your Energies

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When you can identify a career as per your strengths and weaknesses, you can do better career

planning. Goals will become a lot clearer, letting you focus on the targets that you need to

accomplish. Once you know what career you want to pursue, ask your career counselor to help

you with the steps you need to take. Your career counselor will help you prepare yourself for

your career. Clarity of professional goals goes a long way in accomplishing the milestones you

set for yourself.

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2. Review of literature

This is a qualitative study that aims to identify and understand the importance, availability and

practical application of career counseling at different educational levels of Pakistan. The

importance of a career counselor and the influence on career choice has also been highlighted in

the study. There is research conducted to collect data belonging to different universities of

Pakistan, having different academic and professional backgrounds to collect data. The from

thematic analysis showed that a proper career counseling system is not available at any level of

education. In fact career counseling does not exist in Pakistan in a true sense. Most students do

not get any counseling at any level of their academic life about their career path. It was seen that

people choose their career under the influence of their family members or due to the availability

of the subjects/profession. It was also found that a career counselor must be a professional

counselor, equipped with psychological, academic and professional skills and knowledge. As

Career counseling plays an important role for the right selection of a person’s career path, the

study aims to highlight the information of career counseling to help the educational policy

makers in Pakistan. It may enable the regulatory bodies to understand the current level and

importance of career counseling to shape up their future policies.

The effectiveness of career counseling was measured using evaluation questionnaires. The

results showed that 75% of the respondents rated the career counseling they received as

satisfactory. A systematic difference was found between satisfaction with counseling as a result

of the Respondents who reported that counseling helped them in both their personal and career

problems were more satisfied than those who reported being helped solely in either their personal
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problems or their career decisions. The theoretical and practical implications of these results for

career counseling are discussed in this article.

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Methodology

Research design

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and collect information or responses about

how career Counseling is mandatory for university and high school scholars. Respondents to the

study were students from Hamdard university, Karachi university, Ziuddin university JSMU.

JUW, NED, and Sir Syed University. The questionnaire contained two sections and was

designed to be illuminated for learning purposes. Steps were taken throughout the data collection

and writing phase to maintain respondent privacy. After the data was collected, systematic

research was conducted to translate and make sense of the data and ideas of the students. The

statistical method used to make the percentage of the findings is from Google form

Sample size

This sample paper is solved by follow students and give their who are currently enrolled in

MBBS, BBA, BDS , DPT , PHARM D , ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, BS MLT ,

ENGINEERING , BSCS BSC AND SOCIAL SCIENCES and others. The sample size of these

research article were around 62 individuals

Inclusion criteria

In this study researchers researched the amount of university students and the amount of youth

and also give inclusion criteria that 67.7% females and 32.3% males are included which give

responses to this questioner. These participants are under the age of 18 25 and some of them 20-

22 and they are study from different universities which include Ned University, Hamdard

University, Karachi University, Jinnah Sindh medical and others

Exclusion criteria
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In this study, research report also give exclusion criteria about how many people show no proper

response to this research and around 2-3 % people are excluded.

Time schedule

This research was performed about a period of 3 month including all aspects.
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Results

Section; A

Demographics data

Question ;01

Graph no 1 shows that 67.7% respondents were females and 32.3% respondents were females the

pie charge despite that female number of respondents was more than male respondents
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Question :2

Graph no 2 shows that 95.2% of the respondent were age group of 18-25 however 4.8%

respondents were between agev of group 26-32

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Question; 3

Graph no 3 shows that 98.4% respondents marital status were single and 2.2% respondents are

married
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Question ;4

Graph no 4 shows that 100% respondents were miuslim

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Question 5
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Graph no 5 shows about 38.7% respondents were from DPT 12.9% respondents were from mbbs

3.2% students from BDS 4.26% from biomedical engineering 5% from mechanical engineering

2.6% from d.pharm ,1.6% from BSCS 3.2% from BBA 1.6% from aACCA 1.6% from accounts

and finance 1.65 from Bs biotechnology 1.65 from bs radiological imaging 1.6% from b.com

1.6% from BS MLT 1.6% fron bs geology and 3.2% from bs islamic learning .

Question : 6
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According to graph no 6 9.7 students says they are average students according to their academic

performance , 2.2% students says they are below the average , 25.8% students says there

academic perform is excellent and 61.3% students says they are good according to their

academic performance
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Question ;7

Graph no 7 show that 95.2% students say yes,that there is a need of career counselling for high

school scholars and 4.8% students say no in their opinion there is no need of career guidance at

high school level

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Question ; 8

Graph no 8 shows , 93.5% students says they choose their career by their own choice and 7.8%

students say no, they don't choose their career by their own choice
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Question : 9

Graph no 9 shows 37.1% students say they are a leader , 27.4% students say they are followers

and 35.5% students prefer not to say this.

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Section ;B

Question ; 1

Graph no 1 shows that 3.2 % students disagree ,75.8% students strongly agree and 21 students

have neutral responses regarding this question that career counselling provides a platform where

frustration is reduced and focus is redirected to selecting the best career options.
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Question ; 2

Graph no 2 shows that about 21% students say No about this , 46.8% students say yes and

remaining 32.25% students are not sure about whether their career counselling was done in a

good way or not .

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Question ; 3

According to Graph no 3 , 79 % students says yes regards to this question 4.8% students says No

and 16.1% students are not sure about this that they ask themself when they choose their career
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Question ; 4

Graph no 4 shows that about 4.85% students say no , 82.3% students say yes regarding this

question they feel they relish to counselling others and 12.9 % students are not sure about this
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Question :5

Graph no 5 shows that 86.9% students say yes about this , that their parents are actively involved

in their career choice 8.2% students say no they choose their career by their own choice their

parents do not play any role in their career choice and remaining 4.9% are not sure about this and

have neutral response

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Question : 6

Graph no 6 shows 22.5% students are not sure about their field they choose if they overcome or

not and 77.4% students says yes they confident about their field that these can be overcome
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Question ; 07

According to Graph no 7 38.7% students are strongly agree due to lack of career counselling at

school or university level students didn't know about objectives , future career of their programs

they are enrolled 45.25% are also agree , 2.2% students are strongly disagree about this and

14.5% students have neutral response regarding to this question

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Question ; 08

Graph no 8 shows 14.5% students are strongly disagree 9.7% students are disagree 22.6%

students are agree and 27.4% students are strongly agree about this that majority of students take

science due to lack of career guidance they think only medicine or engineering are successful

fields there is no other field and 25.6% students have neutral responses.
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Question : 09

Graph no 9 show 12.9% students are strongly disagree , 4.5% students are disagree 12.9%

students are agree , 8.1% students are strongly agree , 33.9% students have neutral response and

38.7% students are agree with these , that very few schools provide a proper career guidance to

their students and they have concerned with the future of their students
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Question :10

Graph no 10 shows that 9.7% students say no that there is no need of career counselling at

university level 82.3% students say yes regarding to this , in their opinion there is a need of

proper counseling at university level about job , and further studies after graduation and 8.1

students says may be they are sure or not sure about this
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Question :11

According to Graph no 11 4.8% students are say no they're not interested to give career guidance

to their juniors ,71% students are say yes , they are interested in this , give career guidance to

their juniors about further studies and career goals and 24.2% students are says maybe they're

sure or not sure about this

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Question 12

According to graph no 12 6.6% students say No they are not enjoy their field or subject in which

they are currently involved , 78.7% students say yes means they are enjoyed their fields and

14.8% students are say may be they a not sure about this, that they enjoy or not their subjects
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3. Discussion

The research has been carried out on an important topic of career counselling among students in

which survey methodology has been used.Career Counseling is a process that will help you to

know and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make career, educational, and

life decisions. Career development is more than just deciding on a major and what job you want

to get when you graduate. A career counseling session helps them understand the various

problems which come along with choosing a profession. They can ascertain if they understand

these potential challenges and can overcome them. A career counselor gives them practical

advice on those aspects of a job they tend to overlook.A career counseling session helps them

understand the various problems which come along with choosing a profession. They can

ascertain if they understand these potential challenges and can overcome them .On the basis of

this information a questionnaire was made to collect the data and responses about the importance

of career counseling. About 70 % of students who are in university level give their responses,

most of them give satisfactory results. The ratio of females is more than male.
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4. Conclusion

The present study was aimed to identify and explore the need of career counseling at university

and high school level. Research questionnaire was developed to judge responses of university

students. After analyzing the collected data it is explored that respondents’ reaction were high for

the need of career consultation for some guideline for career selection and future scope of

selected course. Mean score was also high on difficulties in career decision making. Most

students face difficulty in the time of admission for selection of course and after completing that

course students face difficulty in career selection due to plentiful careers and attraction of many

careers.

The core objectives of the study were to explore the perception of university students about the

need of career counseling and compare the students’ views of various

universities about the need of career counseling at university level. To investigate gender

differences in students’ views about the need of career counseling. The results of the present

study show that university students prefer career counseling at university level All age groups

favored career consultation for career selection and they face difficulties in taking decisions for

their career.
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Recommendation

Based upon the findings and conclusions following

recommendations were founded for the need of career

counseling.

1.Based on conclusion No.1 and 4 Results show that career Counseling is needed for all age

groups of students. It is recommended that universities may recruit a professional career

counselor for students because results show that students from both universities prefer career

counseling for career consultation and decision making for an appropriate career for their life.

2. During teaching subject teacher may inform students about characteristics and scope of

various occupations.

3. Universities may organize seminars/ workshops/ to provide

students information about various occupations, and qualification needed for specific

professions, scope of various professions, and their future benefits. In this way students may be

informed/ updated about relevant job information.

4. Various industries may be invited in universities to manage job fairs and in this way students

may be made up about various types of professions and their requirements.

5. University education level is the most important level in students’ life; therefore, at the time of

admission, the university may provide pamphlets or brochures that may provide complete

information about the future capacity/ advantages of the courses.

6. Further researches on career counseling needs secondary and higher secondary because

students have to take major decisions about selection of subjects at higher secondary level.
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7. Findings of present study reveal that female students are more in favor of career counseling

than male students. Therefore, female students may be facilitated especially at the time of

admission into new courses. So that they can make best decision

in their course selection.

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References

1. Maria Knoth Humlum, K. J. (October 2007). An Economic Analysis of Identity and

Career Choice: DP No. 3120.IZA.

2. Uzair Yaqoob, F. A. ( 2017). Career counselling and its knowledge among high school.

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health.

3. Young, M. E. (1996). Early Child Development: Investing In The Future. Washington

DC: The World.

4. Andrews M, A. D. ( 1987). Student characteristics as predictors of perceived academic

advising needs. J Coll Student Personnel.

5. Azmat, A. S. (Jan 2013). Factors Having Impact on the Career Decisions: Study of

Business Graduates in. Business Management Dynamics Vol.2, No.7, 09-19.

6. BA, T. ( 1992). Vocational bias and gender: Evaluations of high school counsellors by

Canadian university undergraduates. Canadian Journal of Counselling and

Psychotherapy, 100-6.

7. Crites, J. O. (1969). vocational Psychology: The Study of Vocational Behavior

and Its Development. New York: Mcgraw Hill.

8. Desforges, A. (June 2003). The Impact Of Parental Involvement, Parental Support And

Family Education On Pupil Achievement And Adjustment : A Literature Review

.Wales,UK: Department for education and skills.

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APPENDIX

Questionnaire

Career counselling in Pakistan

Demographic data

Section ; A

Please tick mark any one of the following

● Gender ; male [ ] female [ ] Prefer not to say [ ]

● Age : 18-25 [ ] 26-32 [ ] 33-40 [ ]

● Marital status ; single [ ] married [ ] others [ ]

● Religion :Muslim [ ] Christen [ ] others [ ]

● You're currently involved in ; Mbbs [ ] Dpt [ ] Bds [ ] D.pharm [ ]

others [ ]

● Based on your academic performance how would you rate yourself as a student;

excellent [ ] good [ ] average [ ] below [ ]

● Is career counselling is necessary for high school students?;

yes [ ] No [ ]

● Can you choose your career by your own choice? ;

yes [ ] No [ ]

● Are you a leader [ ] Follower [ ]

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Section; B

Please answer any one by tick marking :

● Career Counselling provides a platform where frustrations can be reduced, and

focus is redirected to selecting the best career options.

Agree [ ] disagree [ ] neutral [ ]

● Is your career counselling done in a good way

Yes [ ] No [ ] Maybe [ ]

● Do you enjoy counselling other and empower them to do thing themselves

Yes [ ] No [ ] Maybe [ ]

● when you choose your career can you ask yourself what's your interest

Yes [ ] No [ ] Maybe [ ]

● Is your parents actively involved about what career you will be choose

Yes [ ] No [ ] maybe [ ]

● Do you feel confident about your field that these can be overcome

Yes [ ] No [ ] Maybe [ ]

● It is observed that the majority of the students are not aware of their objectives of

the specific programs they are enrolled in and also about their future careers in

these fields, simply due to nonexistence of career counseling culture both at

school and college level.

agree [ ] disagree [ ] neutral [ ]

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● Majority of students after high school choose science because lack of career

guidance they think that the only way for successful future is to become a doctor

or engineer there is no other fields

Agree [ ] disagree [ ] neutral [ ]

● It is evident that very few schools provide career counselling sessions and there

is no concept of presence of career counsellors in any school of Pakistan.

Agree [ ] disagree [ ] neutral [ ]

● Students doesn't consider career counselling to be really important and they are

really concerned in acquiring appropriate guidance

Agree [ ] disagree [ ] neutral [ ]

● Is there a need for career counselling at university level about job and further

studies. yes [ ] No [ ] Maybe [ ]

● As a undergraduate or postgraduate student are you interested to give career

guidance to your juniors about further studies and career goals

Yes [ ] No [ ] maybe [ ]

● Do you enjoy your field or subjects in which you are currently involved? Are you

satisfied?

Yes [ ] No [ ] maybe [ ]

Participant signature;---------------------