Challenges to Career Counseling in Pakistan: Implication for Career Pathway

Abstract

Human capital is a rising precious asset in the modern world; where the developing world lags, Pakistan faces plenty of educational challenges where career counselling is the most daunting issue. Career planning plays a pivotal role in achieving personal and collective socio-economic growth and contributing to the overall advancement of a nation. This research aimed to explore the challenges to career planning and its implications on candidates' performance in Pakistan. The data has been collected through a questionnaire survey. The collected data underwent SmartPLS and Thematic analysis, leading to insightful results that supported the study’s hypothesis. The qualitative responses revealed a strong inclination towards career choice based on individual interest among the participants. In addition, positive correlations were observed among various variables. However, the study also identified several obstacles in career planning, particularly during the subject selection process. These challenges encompassed unemployment, societal pressures, peer influence, and the lack of proper guidance and platforms for career exploration.