What’s cool about being a scientist?
At some point in our lives, we must have thought about becoming a scientist and saving the world from some deadly virus or a meteor shower but as we grew up, most of us understood it’s not as simple as portrayed in sci-fi movies, especially Hollywood movies.
The role of a scientist can’t be summarized, especially after the 1800s. The diversity and progress of this world that have been witnessed in the field of science for the past couple of centuries is truly remarkable.
You ask me what’s cool about being a scientist? It’s simple. It all started with a scientist trying to find out, ‘what if I smash these two rocks together real fast?’ In short, the dawn of civilization started with a scientist and it will keep on growing until the end of days. So, we can either watch it happen or be a part of it.
The World and Pakistani Scientists
Today, scientists are practically running this world making it a better place day by day. From designing new household equipment to governing interplanetary missions, scientists throughout the world are making sure that we continue to hear great news like these after short intervals.
Now the question is, where are Pakistani scientists standing? The odds are great!
Starting from Pakistan’s first noble prize laureate Dr. Abdul Salam, Pakistani scientists have proved to be no less than any other nation. Graduates from institutes like NUST, UET, IST, PEAS, etc. have proved their mettle in various fields of science throughout the world.
I know a graduate of IST in aerospace engineering, working as ‘chief engineer’ of a top-notch interplanetary mission of NASA which is without a doubt a remarkable achievement for this young Pakistani scientist.
Life of a young Pakistani Scientist
Well, being a young aspiring scientist in Pakistan is surely a diverse experience. On the one hand, people aren’t yet ready to think out of the box. So they usually opt for subjects in their bachelors degree that can help them get a ‘handsome’ government job so they can continue their ‘eat, sleep, repeat’ routine till the end of days.
On the other hand, some people understand the very fact that life is all about passing on what you have acquired. From the division of one cell to another, the sole purpose of life has been to pass on. These are true scientists.
These scientists have already got their priorities set. Subjects to choose, universities to look for, research topics to work on, they will be looking for each and everything that will help them achieve their goals.
Places with Job Opportunities for Young Scientists
In the past couple of decades, especially after the start of the Musharraf regime, Pakistan has been focusing its sincere efforts towards the advancement of science and technology. The government has been focusing on making sure that every young child should have the access to basic scientific knowledge so that it will arouse interest in science in the minds of young children from the very start.
In terms of R&D, the government has launched top-notch research projects and grants in collaboration with the private sector to make sure scientists from various universities across Pakistan must be able to get their hands-on adequate job opportunities and work experience which will surely boost their zest for science.
Institutes like NIH, SUPARCO, NIRM, NARC, and various other government/private incubation centers are providing exciting new opportunities for aspiring science graduates throughout the nation.
Hospitals like Shifa International Hospital (SIH) and Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH) are showing the world constantly that in terms of medical science, the only thing these young doctors needed was the opportunity and now, the result is before everyone.
Moreover, software houses like codeup.co, Cubix, are providing remarkable opportunities for tech enthusiasts to help make the world digitally more advanced every single day forward.
We can easily specify the job opportunities for young Pakistani scientists both nationally and internationally by visiting a website like GlassDoor.
Is It Worth It?
In my review, being a young Pakistani scientist who has complete command over what he/she is doing is surely a remarkable experience but do remember, ‘Rome was neither built in one day nor destroyed’. To achieve what we desired as a young kid is surely a long journey but trust me, it’s worth it.
In the past few months, I met various young aspiring scientists from top-notch institutes of Pakistan and they all had one advice for the young dreamers thinking about changing the world. I am quoting one of them directly,
‘People will make fun of you, they will call you a nerd or even crazy just because it’s impossible to achieve what you’re trying to achieve but always remember, perseverance and loyalty to your cause is all that is needed to succeed.’
Roadmap
Now the real question is what to choose and what not to choose to become a Pakistan-based scientist?
Well, we have plenty of options now. Try choosing subjects like mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, etc. during SSC, HSSC, or O/A levels. After this, things become pretty much clear. Math aspirants opt engineering or any other technical field from institutes like NUST, UET, IST, COMSATS, etc.
On the other hand, biology aspirants mostly try to get admission into MBBS but fields like biochemistry, oncology, microbiology, zoology, biotechnology, virology, etc. are also becoming hotspots for aspiring young scientists.
Best Professional Degrees in Pakistan 2020 is what we must check out before going further.
Best of Luck!
Well, being a young scientist in Pakistan is truly once in a lifetime experience full of hardships and doubts but still the fact that we’re playing our part in making this world a better place is worth enough to keep running after our dreams.
