Context and Educational Journey

I am Arsh Jacob. I come from a humble background in Pakistan. Currently, living in Lahore, Punjab. I went to a Government School and completed my matriculation there. I did my Fsc. Premedical from ILM Group of Colleges. Even though I was never interested in medical I still chose it due to the family pressure!

Have you ever experienced the same kind of pressure in your life?

It turned out to be a great learning experience and I was able to gain a lot of knowledge. While doing medical, I enrolled myself in a General English course in ICD (Institute of Career and Development). I realized that I am enjoying this subject way more than any other. This was a turning point for me.

I decided to pursue a degree in English Language.

After that, I enrolled in BS English Language and Linguistics from the University of Management and Technology (UMT). UMT offered courses that were tailored to my interests and provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field. I also joined some reading clubs and found myself interested in fiction/fantasy and from there I knew that it would be great for me if I pursue it as a degree. Another purpose for choosing this degree was my keen interest in books since I was a kid. Truth be told, I am a great fan of Oscar Wilde George Orwell and Khaled Hosseini. I believe that reading is one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to discover new ideas, cultures, and perspectives.

During my undergraduate studies, my family went into some financial crisis due to which I had to support myself to pay tuition fee.

Opportunities Out of Reach

That was the most crucial and difficult point for me. I come across numerous opportunities that turned out to be out of reach because of my educational background and lack of experience. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with higher degree, such as a Master’s degree or a certain amount of experience. As a result, many jobs that I am interested in seem to be out of reach.

I had no choice but to compete with hundreds of other qualified candidates for a single opening. It is disheartening to see so many opportunities slip away because I do not meet the required criteria, and it has sometimes made me feel like I am not good enough. And I believe that a lot of other students also feel the same way like I do.

The ordeal does not end here. Even when you complete your degree program, there are challenges.

Job challenges

Getting a job after completing my degree in Pakistan has been quite a challenge. Finding a job after graduation is a challenge for most University graduates. I soon realized that finding a job was more difficult than I had anticipated as some places ignored my CV which was kind of disappointing. The challenges faced in getting a job in Pakistan include lack of experience, sometimes language barrier, lack of resources, socio-economic disparities, and lack of networking. In addition, the job market is highly competitive and employers are always looking for the most qualified and experienced applicants.

I have briefly explained my experiences.

• As I did not have much experience and I was not allowed to stay out till late so I decided to go for teaching. I dropped my resume at multiple institutes such as Educators and some local academies like Jameel Academy and Naveed Majeed but never got any response from them.

• When my friends saw me in my depressed zone where I was not able to support myself, they suggested me to go for online tutoring and freelancing as they know my potential in writing. Also, they guided me about various content related websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, Contently, Preplay, TeacherOn and some Facebook groups.

There are many opportunities out there, but it can be quite hard to access them due to various reasons. Some of them are as follows:

• Firstly, the competition is high and many people are vying for the same position.

• Secondly, certain cultural and religious barriers stand in the way of people of certain backgrounds and certain religions.

• Thirdly, there is a lack of access to resources and education, which creates an unequal playing field between those who have access to these resources and those who do not.

Fortunately, after few tabled attempts I secured a gig through a Facebook group and got my first project which was to write articles for a newly established company. It was a wonderful experience for me as not only I got confidence but also self-appreciation. That is how, I worked my way to the other mentioned websites and got great replies and experiences.

This is how I started online tutoring and freelancing.

I think everyone has to overcome some challenges in order to stand out from the competition and pursue my desired career path.

It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience to get a job in the current market.

It has been difficult for me to get my foot in the door and make a name for myself, it is not going to be easy for you either. The process of searching for a job can be quite overwhelming, and it requires a lot of dedication and hard work to make it happen.  Support from friends is a huge morale booster.

How to overcome these challenges

1. In order to overcome these challenges, one needs to be proactive in applying for job openings, network with professionals in the industry, and take up internships to gain experience and skills. With hard work and dedication, one can land a job that is both rewarding and satisfying.

2. You should remain optimistic and hopeful. I am optimistic about my future and am working hard to create a better future for myself. I have realized that if I have a will, I will find a way for me to grow and develop my skills.

3. Become a lifelong learner.  Upskill. I am currently exploring online courses to enhance my knowledge and learn new strategies. I am planning to further my studies and gain more experience by taking up internships and short-term projects. I am constantly exploring new opportunities and learning as much as I can about my field.

4. Develop your professional network.  I am also trying to make connections within the industry for advice and mentorship as well as I am committed to making a positive impact on the society. I am confident that with the right opportunities

5. Give back. I will be able to make a meaningful contribution if I can guide others.

Overall, my journey has been a challenging yet rewarding one and I gained incredible experience. Pursuing a degree in English Language and Linguistics was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has allowed me to gain valuable insights into the language and provided me with the skills to pursue a career in the field. I am proud of the accomplishments I have make, and I am determined to continue my journey towards a successful career. Despite the challenges, I have faced in getting a job, I remain hopeful that with hard work and dedication, I will be able to achieve my goals and make the most of opportunities that comes my way.  I never stopped believing on myself and kept on working to improve and enhance my abilities so that no company or institute will ignore my powerful resume.

I am sure many of the students have had similar experiences. But don’t lose hope and keep on searching to achieve your dreams and goals. So, comment below about your own experience and journey and sign up here if you would like to engage with me.

These days I am learning to use a new AI tool to create videos.  This short preview was created in less than 10 minutes and I am sharing this here to create awareness about the importance of upskilling to stand out in the job market.

After spending a bit more time, I was able to produce a much better version of the video. It still needs a lot of improvement, but it shows that you can upskill yourself in any field of your choice by self-learning or talking to a mentor.

Register to get mentorship with Arsh Jacob to Get in touch