Editorial

Career counselling is the process of helping individuals to explore their interests, abilities, values, and goals and to identify suitable career options that match their personality and preferences. Career counselling can also guide preparing for, pursuing, and succeeding in one’s chosen career path. Career counselling is essential for people of all ages and stages of life, but especially for students who are about to make crucial decisions about their education and future.

In Pakistan, career counselling is not widely available or accessible for most students. According to a study, career counselling does not exist in Pakistan in a true sense. Most students need counselling about their career path at any level of their academic life. It was seen that people choose their careers under the influence of their family members or due to the availability of the subjects/profession. This can lead to dissatisfaction, frustration, and poor performance among students who end up in careers that do not suit them or do not align with their aspirations.

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The importance of career counselling in Pakistan can be evaluated from various perspectives:

• Individual perspective: Career counselling can help individuals to discover their potential and passion and to make informed choices about their education and career. Career counselling can also help individuals develop self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-efficacy, which are essential for personal and professional growth. Career counselling can also help individuals to cope with the challenges and uncertainties of the changing world of work and to adapt to the demands and opportunities of the global market.

• Societal perspective: Career counselling can help society to create a more diverse, productive, and competitive workforce that can contribute to the economic and social development of the country. Career counselling can also help society to reduce unemployment, underemployment, and brain drain, which are significant issues affecting Pakistan’s human capital. Career counselling can also help society to promote social justice and equity by providing equal access and opportunity for all segments of the population, especially women and minorities, who face discrimination and barriers in education and employment.

• Educational perspective: Career counselling can help educational institutions to improve the quality and relevance of their curricula and programs and to align them with the needs and expectations of employers and society. Career counselling can also help educational institutions to enhance their students’ retention and graduation rates and to facilitate their transition from school to work or higher education. Career counselling can also help educational institutions to establish partnerships and linkages with various stakeholders, such as employers, industry associations, professional bodies, alumni, parents, and community organizations.

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Lastly, career counselling is a vital service that can benefit Pakistan’s individuals, society, and educational institutions. However, more awareness, resources, training, and policies must be needed to support providing and promoting career counselling in Pakistan. Therefore, there is a need for concerted efforts from the government, private sector, civil society, media, and academia to create a culture of career counselling in Pakistan and to develop a comprehensive and practical career guidance system that can cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of the Pakistani youth.

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