Career Counseling in Pakistan-Need of the Hour

Authors

  • Author- Muhammad Saad Umar, Atif Munir, Muneeba Rizwan, Saba Naveed

Abstract

Objective: The concept of career counseling is virtually non-existent in Pakistan. This results in lack of guidance to our youth who are reaching the pivotal stage of selecting a career for their future which is the most critical juncture in one's professional life. The aim of our study was to assess (a) the driving factors & career choice (MBBS or Dentistry) satisfaction (b) collate the views about the significance of career counselling among medical & dental students of a private sector medical & dental college (Fatima Memorial College of Medicine & Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan).

Methods

: Student responses were collected through a statistically validated questionnaire and then analysed.

Results

 : The driving factors behind career choice were predominantly personal choice. A quarter of students in the study adopted the profession under parental influence. A similar proportion were not satisfied with their career choice. Vast majority of students were familiar with the concept of career counselling and felt that formal structured career counselling could have helped them or the next generation of students at the stage of selecting a career path in context of joining Medicine/Dentistry as a career path or not.

Conclusion

 : The study highlights that about one fourth of our medical and dental students are not satisfied with their career choice but most feel that a true insight and flavor of the profession in the form of career counselling at the point of their career selection could have assisted them in having some practical insights into Medicine and Dentistry.

Keywords:

Career, Dentistry, Medicine

Published

2023/11/29

Issue

Vol. -ISSUE 4
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