Career Counseling: An Essential Program for the Youth of Karachi

To know yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, do’s and don’ts is the most challenging task everyone has to face. To accomplish that task several psychometric tests are available but after finding the answer, “who are you?” the next step is finding the compatible career that can only be achieved by career counseling. Career counseling is required in order to build a pathway for students towards a career that not only provides a foundation to a successful profession but also compliment their interest, skills and talents. This research presents the findings of a study conducted to explore the significant need of career counseling among the students of different departments in University of Karachi in year 2019. The research method used includes data analysis, in depth interview and the survey through Judgmental sampling technique. Career counseling provides students the answer to explore and find the domain in which their expertise should be placed. The research aims to highlight the confusion and uncertainty students face while deciding for their career, when they have to choose their respective field without consultation and guidance. This research is used as a tool to identify that majority of the students is not aware with their life goals and objectives. Students are not properly educated about outcomes of the specific programs they are enrolled in, the scope and career opportunities in these fields, merely because of proper career counseling which is missing both at school and college level in Pakistan. In the absence of career counseling the students have no choice but to choose their field either under influence of others or simply based on availability. Thus, the research emphasizes the importance of career counseling among students.