August
Career Moves; Be Strategic About Your Future
This article is originally published in Humsafer July August 2015 edition (A PIA Magazine); available online & can be accessed at http://piac.com.pk/humsafar/
Hira A. Siddiqi
Dig the Well before you are Thirsty, a Chinese proverb opinionating that planning and struggle at one’s best is required when in need of something and it shows the determination of that person toward his goal and aims. It is quite relevant to the career goals of life as well where one person is already in the track of professionalism or seeking to choose one, for both it is as important as water for the thirsty person.
RIASEC is a Holland code which fits for this topic and stands for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. What Are They? … They are Six Work Environment types. And if one personality type works with another which is same of their nature then the productivity of the working atmosphere is higher comparatively. And every personality type searches the environment either of their interest or to their proportional. A good career match means compatibility with consent and harmony. Understanding this Theory can help one to make better choices. This theory was founded and then named by same person John Holland who is an American scientist and Psychology Professor at the University of Michigan.
There are four stages of choosing any career, Self Awareness, Opportunity Awareness, Decision Making and Taking Action. Most of us start deciding about our career when very young, that’s not very easy and decisive at such age instead of working and struggling to get that position, broaden the professional approach towards your field or expertise. For example a pre medical student of intermediate should not aim to do only Medicine or Surgery in future, he can keep the safe margins for similar disciplines which are also important in the market and job world like Micro Biology, Bio Technology, Virology, Dentistry, Physio Therapy, Radiology and Pharmacy etc. And when you choose a path, then at that point you start working on your strength. That’s the time when your chosen career becomes your expertise and strengthens your vocation.
Don’t forget to socialize wherever one is working at, it’s a second home where they start socializing with people of different intellect and backgrounds. Everyone can take advices from different experts and professionals of similar career they have or from dissimilar ones as well; parents and siblings are also most supportive in these cases by giving a favorable decision to you because they know you inside out since your childhood but ultimately do what is your choice, choose what matches you most, work where your comfort level is higher than any of the advices you had for this.
If one find opportunity at their desired career, then he should not missed that and volunteer to work at their interested job, and in volunteering your work is priceless and more appreciating then the paid jobs. This strategy is for freshers because those who are bread runners of their family can’t go for volunteering whether it’s of their choice or not, they have to earn six figure salaries for their family especially in Pakistan.
Commonly, people change their careers in their life span some are dissatisfied with their current jobs while others are not at the right place they actually qualified for. Few are underpaid not survival in their current salary structure, then there are those as well who are fond of new experiences but by gaining them, it only add up the knowledge and flexibility to work with different cultures and people of altered behaviors, but it ends with the confused career and inconsistency is a drawback when one have not solid logic behind such experiences.
Change in life is the only thing which is constant but it doesn’t means one should not switch the career rather upgrade or enhance the existing career. If one person is optimistic enough then do the puzzle game with oneself and follow what Steve Jobs once said about same thing, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
Decisions of your life should not be make on money because temporary things never gives you permanent place anywhere, one cannot change anything in the company making a difference is a separate thing but change is a long term and takes more than decades. Family is always and must be the preference than anyone else; don’t ruin your true relations for the sake of maintaining so called professionalism in front of your social circle. Be Yourself !! And don’t forget the real You inside yourself, if you analyze yourself better then there won’t be any need of making vague moves in choices.
In Pakistan best career paths are Business whether big or small enterprises depend upon the market demand of that particular town or area, then medical have scope too. Majority of Pakistanis love sport and have interest to become athlete but it needs guts and confidence to build up oneself for this profession. Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence are emerging career pathways in Pakistan for those who have interest in computer sciences. Pakistan have one of the best fashion industry so to those who wants to be an artist can join this, Media will be perk for them if they get chance there too.
Chartered Accountancy in Pakistan is considered as crème profession which starts with lowers income but get higher in very short span of time if qualified. Engineering never lost its space for any other profession in Pakistan, now there are more than 20 fields in Engineering in Pakistan and Scope of career can only be created by choosing the right space for it. Civil and Military jobs are competitive and only adequate and refined group of people selected for these jobs where one not have any chance for further scrutiny. In recent couple of decades Engineering and Medical were the only professions students struggles for, but now there are diversifications in Science, Technology, Art, Humanities, and Management Studies. Every profession in Pakistan have its own grace it all depends upon the chooser or applicant that rather he make bridge from the stones he felt as obstacles in his way or make wall to not allowing those hurdles by fear of facing them; one Chinese proverb well explained this impression in a way that, “When a wind of change blows, one build walls, while other builds windmills.”
Chinese proverb well explained this impression in a way that, “When a wind of change blows, one build walls, while other builds windmills.”
Be a Patriot to Your Fingertips!!
(Published: July-August 2013, PIA Humsafer http://www.piac.com.pk/humsafar/HumsafarJuly-Aug2013/index.html )
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
John F. Kennedy
This 66th commemoration of the Independence is not less than any achievement or accomplishment; also it’s a success of all Pakistanis who had played their part in completing all these years with their determination, passion and patriotic spirits. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan declared as a sovereign state on August 14, 1947. This independence has achieved on basis of multiple crisis, thousands of sacrifices and continuous fortitude. But ancestors of contemporary generation never lost their hope of moving forward towards the goal of owning a self-governed state!
Pakistan, now a nuclear power is not only a developing country with established communication infrastructures, modernized cities, trained and technical manpower, and agriculture production but also appeared on international platforms not only competed but also won from the best challengers of the world. Few names can just bring the face in one’s mind like Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, an Oscar winner for her documentary “The Saving Face”; Asam ul Haq, famous Tennis Player; Arfa Karim (Late), one of the youngest Microsoft professional; Malala Yousafzai, another youngest and bravest girl of Pakistan; Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, the renown across the border classical singer; Mohmmad Ali, another but most important sportsperson; similarly Amir Khan, prominent international boxer. These are the pride of this country and Pakistani Nation.
The development of any nation indicates the sign of potentials and capacity of courageous nation. We are among those nations which get united at the time of need; no matter what sort of insurgency or minor circumstances are there, Pakistanis are always there to help their brothers which reflect the candid ship in our bloods inherited from our forefathers. Pakistani community is much more hospitable and kind hearted than any other. It’s Pakistanis who take care of their neighbours, keep their parents well off, respect the strangers, help the poor, love their children, share their happiness with others and give a support at time of sadness or misery. Pakistan had faced natural disasters and as well as drastic conflicts; but no one got afraid, it’s the bravery of every citizen that nobody left this country but also they help the affectees like their own family member. Every single person living in Pakistan is just waiting for a warm and sociable greet from anyone they meet and one can clearly observe that next person will receive an overwhelming and caring response from that Pakistani.
The nations get prospered not only by the governance and authorities; it’s the people who live in are the real assets and precedents. Every Pakistani must self-realize their identity of being a citizen of this state, because rather asking from country we all must give something to our country in shape of any positive contribution that leads towards a flourishing Pakistan. As Abraham Lincoln beautifully stated the affiliation with one’s own country in following words, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. “
“Remember we are building up a State which is going to play its full part in the destinies of the whole Islamic World. We, therefore, need a wider look, an outlook which transcends the boundaries of provinces, limited nationalism, and racialism. We must develop a sense of patriotism which should galvanize us all into one united and strong nation. That is the only way in which we can achieve our goal, the goal of our struggle, the goal for which millions of Muslims have lost their lives.” These are not only simple words but an engraved and memorized golden words of no other but Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The founder of nation himself done enthusiastic struggle for birth of Pakistan; because of his intellect and non-stop effort, we got this state and celebrate its Birthday every year. Keeping this tradition active, all private and government building get illuminated. All Pakistanis decorated their houses, shopping malls, office with national flags, lighting, paintings, buntings and balloons in green and white colors. Different political parties as well set to celebrate this memorable day in an honourable way by hoisting national and party flags to express their love for Pakistan.
Under the guidance of the Quaid; Muslims struggled hard and handled all odds to attain this spectacular goal in shape of independent state. It is an event to be celebrated with nationalistic zeal and zest. This year we will be celebrating it after the holy month of Ramazan, which has made this day more special like any Eid! To cover this occasion in a dignified method, all print, electronic as well as social media have planned up for the complete reports. In print and social media one can see the special features, articles emphasizing the significance of day and sacrifices performed by our forefathers and heroes. Pakistanis hallmark this day by small rallies, functions under the support of different private, public, political and social institutions in all small to major towns/cities of Pakistan.
Quaid addressed to youth at another place “My young friends, I look forward to you as the real makers of Pakistan, do not be exploited and do not be misled. Create amongst yourselves complete unity and solidarity. Set an example of what youth can do. Your main occupation should be in fairness to yourself, to your parents, in fairness to the State, to devote your attention to your studies. If you fritter away your energies now, you will always regret.” According to UNDP; an estimated 103 million Pakistanis, or 70% of the population, fall under the age of 25 years, which is the real strength and asset of this nation; our real youth. And this youth is a window of opportunity available to us; the authorized investors can turn this youth bulge out into a demographic dividend with training and equipping them with marketable skills, because this protruding youth can easily turn out in shape of crown and desperate group of people wandering on streets which may threaten the peace and security of the country.
The recent elections appeared another ray of hope, and everyone realized that the spark had never died. The most thing is being focussed in this election is participation and contribution of youth and to get a prosperous Pakistan by voting the reliable political party. This is time for Pakistani citizen to be a part of this democratic nation and take part in different platforms by joining Pakistan Armed Forces, Becoming doctors, Brilliant Engineers, Journalists, Lawyers, Government Employees and last but not the least we need energetic and innovative minded politicians even to resolve all the stereotype issues, taboos who can confront terrorism with valour and daring hearts. This Independence every Pakistani must marked the resolution and promise to their nation that how they can bring positive and prosperous change in Pakistan by facing all the conditions. This is the responsibility of every citizen to play their role to change the conventional systems of Pakistan. So if anyone wants to bring the revolution in true sense then every individual involvement counts and we hope the upcoming year would be the beginning of a new era for this country inshAllah, Pakistan Zindabad
Carved Diary 