My question is unique as i am in an absolute dilema about what to do.
I am 31 and did my Fsc(Math, Statistics, Computer sciences)in 1998 from fedral boad. I failed in BA and stopped studying. Now i wanna do Bcom to get myself some degree to approach a good Job.
How long does it take to do Bcom in pakistan and what if i do it from Virtual universty.
Is it better to do privately? I am more keen on this option as i want to complete it ASAP.
Someone even told me not to waste time and offered a fake BA degree. But somehow i know it could put me in trouble later on.
Age is really irrelevant when it comes to education - a concept that is unfortunately somewhat foreign in Pakistan.
Typical timeframe for a BCom in Pakistan is 2 years, but if you put in the effort, it can even be done in a year’s time privately… I know a couple of people in Pakistan who did it.
u know one person is on the age of 65 did MBA from virtual university so go ahead dear ... but i think if u spent some time on computer education then it will be more beneficial for you .....
Sannan and Lucid, while learning is not limited by age but unfortunately age is a big factor in Pakistan when it comes to job hunting as all govt. agencies and to great extent private sector do put a max age limit on applicants and if you look at OP's post, his/her main concern is to be able to find a job based on educational merits.
Kash it would probably take you another 2 yrs to complete your BCom and if you go out seeking a job at age 33 equipped with a mere BCom and no work experience, you'll be severly disadvantaged competing against young guns loaded with BBA/MBA degrees or even simple BComs. This is a reality, not trying to discourage you.
A better altervative would be to go for some vocational training (certification, diplomas etc) geared towards specific industries such as IT, office management, lab tehcs, banking etc becuse these courses provide more hands on practical experience and might even give you chance for networking with those who have right connections in right places.
LP… the OP was talking about Pakistan, and in Pakistan, a standard BCom or BA is 2 years long - and that’s why it is only equated to first year of undergrad studies by many universities. Also, if someone is going for it privately, it’s really up to him/her to decide when they’re ready for the exams, and hence it’s possible to do it in a year’s timeframe… pretty similar to how someone might finish A-Levels in one year and write exams through the British Council.
Sannan and Lucid, while learning is not limited by age but unfortunately age is a big factor in Pakistan when it comes to job hunting as all govt. agencies and to great extent private sector do put a max age limit on applicants and if you look at OP's post, his/her main concern is to be able to find a job based on educational merits.
Kash it would probably take you another 2 yrs to complete your BCom and if you go out seeking a job at age 33 equipped with a mere BCom and no work experience, you'll be severly disadvantaged competing against young guns loaded with BBA/MBA degrees or even simple BComs. This is a reality, not trying to discourage you.
A better altervative would be to go for some vocational training (certification, diplomas etc) geared towards specific industries such as IT, office management, lab tehcs, banking etc becuse these courses provide more hands on practical experience and might even give you chance for networking with those who have right connections in right places.
SD, I agree with your viewpoint - I'm generally very supportive of certifications and other industry endorsed credentials. I'll take the liberty to qualify your suggestion further by saying that if the only objective of getting a degree at this age is to seek work opportunities in Pakistan, then yes, it may be to the OP's benefit to explore the certifications route. However, if at a later point in time, there might be a need to relocate out of Pakistan, or to pursue graduate studies anywhere, then there's really little that can be done other than getting that undergraduate degree.
Re: work experience, I'm assuming that the OP has been working since completion of his intermediate...
LP... the OP was talking about Pakistan, and in Pakistan, a standard BCom or BA is 2 years long - and that's why it is only equated to first year of undergrad studies by many universities. Also, if someone is going for it privately, it's really up to him/her to decide when they're ready for the exams, and hence it's possible to do it in a year's timeframe... pretty similar to how someone might finish A-Levels in one year and write exams through the British Council.
LC.... if i am not wrong there some change recently and now B.Com need at least 3 years.
I have done B.com :@:. I did it in 2 years but I guess now it takes 3 years.
B.com can not guarantee you a good job. Study hard complete your B.com then go for M.com. You can do it privately too esp if you are also working. But somehow people over here have a mindset that regular students are better than private.
Don't opt for virtual university or Allama Iqbal Open University. They are only good if you are currently employed and just need to show a degree or if you are a government employee or seeking job in govt sector.
B.com from a university like Karachi University is the best option. I have done it from Karachi University too though I was enrolled in a college. But my degree is from Karachi University.
You can not study all your life neither you will always have so many opportunities in your hand. make wise decision.
Re: work experience, I'm assuming that the OP has been working since completion of his intermediate...
Well, I am in a terrible position which i think i must share. I actually attemped BA in year 2000 with statistics economics and arabic optional. I failed in the compulsory subject islamiyat/pak studies by few marks. I was extremely disappointed and didnt go for it again.
My elder brother forcefully got me admitted in a private computer college for MCS. At the end of my 2year course i didnt get the degree as the college said that thay cannot issue me a degree unless i show them my bechlors.
Then i went to UK on a study visa but went after doing odd jobs to collect money. I was stupid i didn't study there and there was no one to guide me. Now after five years i was refused a furhter extention in my visa and i came back.
I was jobless for one year and then this year i got a job as a sales executive in small company. I am being paid too less and i feel i have goods to produce something better for myself.
I made awful mistakes in my academic life and i dont know how to undo these blunders which have ruined so much of my time.
I also thought of doing computer certifications as i do have computer background. But as we all know that Bechlors is the minimum requirement for most of the jobs.
yep it seems like my information is dated… thanks for the correction, and with a 3 year degree, Pakistan is now at least in-step with the undergrad standards for European countries :k:
Well, I am in a terrible position which i think i must share. I actually attemped BA in year 2000 with statistics economics and arabic optional. I failed in the compulsory subject islamiyat/pak studies by few marks. I was extremely disappointed and didnt go for it again.
My elder brother forcefully got me admitted in a private computer college for MCS. At the end of my 2year course i didnt get the degree as the college said that thay cannot issue me a degree unless i show them my bechlors.
Then i went to UK on a study visa but went after doing odd jobs to collect money. I was stupid i didn't study there and there was no one to guide me. Now after five years i was refused a furhter extention in my visa and i came back.
I was jobless for one year and then this year i got a job as a sales executive in small company. I am being paid too less and i feel i have goods to produce something better for myself.
I made awful mistakes in my academic life and i dont know how to undo these blunders which have ruined so much of my time.
I also thought of doing computer certifications as i do have computer background. But as we all know that Bechlors is the minimum requirement for most of the jobs.
WAHT TO DO?
Kash... what's done is done - moving on... if you've completed the coursework for the MCS, would the institution provide you with that degree if you were to complete the undergrad degree? if that's possible, then I'd say just complete your BCom or BA privately and get that MCS under your belt... even if you're required to take a few more courses for the MCS to be able to graduate, it's much more worth your while to get that designation rather than spending too much time on the undergraduate degree.
As others have noted here, an undergraduate degree is not sufficient for a job, but I understand that many jobs require a degree for eligibility purposes.
^^^ I tend to agree with LC here, check your previous BA attempt again, may be you still able to just appear under old system and pass the all or only failed papers. and same time talk to this MCS college if you can get out of them anything now? with or without a BA. that will be shorter route to earn some time back.
also your stay in UK, if you can use some of the jobs in your CV as experience , it will count in some companies, I know one person who was student here, not sure he completed his degree or not here, was working full time in a supermarket chain store here, in couple of years he was manager of this medium size store. When his visa ran out, went back to Pak, used his "managerial" experience here to land on very good job in one of the main Bank in Pakistan. He is sort of regional Manager with all perks car etc.
so moral of the story, dont loose hope, you worked in different country must have improved your skills along the line that can be useful there in Pak too.
