Confused about career choice.

[PlanA]

Assalamualikum dear brothers and sisters.

I am currently doing my second semester in engineering. I have always been weak in physics but quite good in mathematics in the past. I have done my A levels got A in maths, D in physics. Parents werent happy and neither was I with my grades. Didnt know what to do at that stage of life, so just joined an engineering college. 2 semesters on and I am not very sure if this is what I want to do in life. Also since my father is very strict I am scared of telling him this. I dont want to let him down and I dont know what to do.

I am intrested in writing and enjoy creative things. I am not sure what career I want to pursure, but journalism, media and mass communication and even hotel management are fields that I find intresting. Then again I do not know how these careers can help me to live life as a better muslim, especially hotel management.

Do pray for me please. I have discussed this with my sister and a few friends, just letting words out hellps me feel better. InshAllah Allah will show me a way. Remember me in your prayers.

JazakAllah.

[Hamza81]

Assalamualikum dear brothers and sisters.

I am currently doing my second semester in engineering. I have always been weak in physics but quite good in mathematics in the past. I have done my A levels got A in maths, D in physics. Parents werent happy and neither was I with my grades. Didnt know what to do at that stage of life, so just joined an engineering college. 2 semesters on and I am not very sure if this is what I want to do in life. Also since my father is very strict I am scared of telling him this. I dont want to let him down and I dont know what to do.

I am intrested in writing and enjoy creative things. I am not sure what career I want to pursure, but journalism, media and mass communication and even hotel management are fields that I find intresting. Then again I do not know how these careers can help me to live life as a better muslim, especially hotel management.

Do pray for me please. I have discussed this with my sister and a few friends, just letting words out hellps me feel better. InshAllah Allah will show me a way. Remember me in your prayers.

JazakAllah.

Asalaamu Alaikum Wr Wb, my brother i understand how you feel. Some asian parents tend to be too overbearing and put too much pressure on their child. Although they have good intentions their actions can have detrimental effects and can cause a lot of stress and pressure on the child. They need to understand that they should direct their children not force them into choices they are not sure about. They should be more encouraging and supportive rather than applying too much pressure.

I did one year in Engineering and at the end of it i realised i was only doing it for my father and not myself. My heart was just not in it so i thought that it is best for me to pull out now as i did'nt want to go into an area where my heart was'nt in it.

I had the same issues as you i hated Physics it just did'nt interest me. So i pulled out after a year and kept the modules that i passed and looked into possible careers and got advice and decided to get into Human Resource Management.

I would suggest you research into possible careers that you could get into. You are right to consider a career where you may be able to be of help and assistance to Islam and Muslims.

In highsight i would have love to have gone into Pharmacy because it is a very well paid career and finding a job would never be much of a problem because of the fact that locums are always in demand. You can also work as a pharmacist anywhere in the world.

Consider this option. But i would urge you to get careers advice. See a few careers advisors to get different perspectives and look into different careers, do the research.

Most of all ask of Allah and make much dua to him. Pray 2 rakat nafil hajaat(prayer for wants) and ask of Alah to help you get into a career that will benefit Islam, Muslims and mankind. When you have narrowed down your choices then do isthikhara and ask of Allah which area to go into. Have full hope, faith, trust and reliance in Allah and whatever is best for you will happen inshallah.

Make sure you fulfill your obligations to Allah and keep a close connection with the masjid. Pray your nafil as well which makes one closer to Allah and try and recite as much Qur'an as possible reading it with its meanings and trying to implement it into your life as much as you can.

Also remember and glorify Allah as much as you can throughout the day and night no matter what you are doing . Thank him abundantley for he gives more to those who are thankful. Learn as much knowledge as possible and keep good and pious friends that will benefit you in this world and the next and keep away from bad friends for they are like a bad smell and if you stick with them then you will also get some of this bad smell.

If you worship Allah as much as you can then you will gain the help of Allah in your life. If you chase the hereafter then this world will chase you. But if you chase this world then this world will go farther away from you.

Here are some very useful articles for you to implement in your daily life and increase your imaan and get closer to Allah:

10 steps to increase our imaan(faith)

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...ur-imaan(faith)

10 steps to getting closer to Allah

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...loser-to-Allah

Desires and Calamities

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...and-Calamities

Forty Very Easy, Quick & Rewarding Good Deeds for all of us to do Everyday!

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...to-do-Everyday!

VERY Rewarding Nafl Salaahs we can Pray Everyday!

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...-Pray-Everyday!

Easy Dhikr(Remembrabce of Allah) light on the tongue but heavy on the scales!

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...-on-the-scales!

My Daily Ibadah(worship) check

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...worship)-check

A talk with the Self

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...-with-the-self



Please listen to these very beneficial talks:



Angel of Death!!! - Sheikh Ahmed Ali

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUzRJXlB2uA

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 1/4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieX7ZQtHl0s

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 2/4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK_2sVGMW08

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 3/4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpmzA2hk1Bo

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 4/4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km39GfL62TQ

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - The Journey of the Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAwHEXE3-n0

HARD HITTING Lecture on HELLFIRE & the Day of JUDGEMENT! يوم القيامة والجحيم

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O6L_fBk7VM

Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 1/3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTehIeCOUU

Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 2/3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTtk7rWx_U

Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 3/3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmiD86w9fBc

Islam - Punishment of the Grave by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWb-hYIm2WE

Death and the Grave by Murtaza Khan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r2nzJVecqo

How can we not appreciate what we have after watching this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkEBUC0APMg

Appreciate your mother or you will regret it forever!- This will make you cry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4NwYrlqkcY

[PlanA]

Brother Hamza, what did you tell to your dad? How did he react. I am scared. InshAllah Allah will guide me to the right path.

[mikail2]

wa 'alaikum assalam -

hotel management will usually give you good job opportunities, insha 'Allah. I went into healthcare field but I sometimes wish when I was in your stage that I became a student of knowledge and studied overeseas...think about it. The parents and others will say you are crazy, but once you get old and established with kids it is hard to do that .

[Hamza81]

Brother Hamza, what did you tell to your dad? How did he react. I am scared. InshAllah Allah will guide me to the right path.

Asalaamu Alaikum Wr Wb, he could tell my heart was'nt in it and i came out with it in the end and told him that i am going to study something else as my heart is jst not in this subject. You have to be open brother even though it is hard. You have to gather the courage together and be honest and upfront with your father about this. You cannot force yourself to do something you don't want to do. Thats just not right. Be honest with him brother and research what you want to do and ask of Allah to help you make the right choice as to your career choice.

In life we have to face these situations but speak to your father with love and try and make him understand. If he is angry then be patient but explain to him you can'y live your life doing something your hearts not in. A lot of the times Asian parents just want their children to become something big for pride so others can say "Oh look at their son and daughter". This is just not right. Why should the children suffer because of parents pride. The parents should direct their children not force them into subjects or choices they don't want to make.

So my brother you will be fine inshallah. Just do the right thing. My duas are with you and please remember me in your dua's too inshallah.

[pawlak]

@ PlanA

There is a subtle difference between your hobby and the career.

A hobby is what your mind wants. A job becomes a hobby if you enjoy it. The main goal of a hobby is to return
mental comfort , not money. Money is optional, but the comfort is mandatory.

A career is what the market wants . A job becomes a career if you earn halal money from it. From the career , you
must earn halal money , but the mental comfort is optional.

There are some people who have the lucky chance to combine the hobby and carreer into the same job.

For others, compromise is needed.
However, many teenagers and youngsters are too much emotional as they
have not seen the harsh reality of life. So , they give too much importance on their hobbies.

I have seen a brother whose hobby was to draw paintings. But, the job security of an artist was not good in his
country. So , he has chosen Architecture in the university . Because, in architecture he can earn good money by using
his artistic skill.


What type of engineering are you studying ?

Some engineering jobs have good demand in the market. But , some engg jobs have low demand nowadays. So , you have to be careful.

There are some sectors of engineering where very good skill in mathematics is needed. One such example is DSP within
electrical engineering.

Since you are good in mathematics , you can choose that type of sector. Moreover, in your free time , you can write
books on Mathematics , or the the amazing history of mathematics in engg. One such book is shown below.


##################
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Pi-David-B.../dp/0802775624

The Joy of Pi
#############

Sometimes , the teachers in the universities fail to teach a course in a good way. So , the students feel bored.
If that is the case in your uni , then you should use those good lecture materials from MIT open courseware websites.

Another issue is social recognition. In some cultures , social respect for some particular careers is very high.
So, you also need to be aware of your cultural context.

[HAMBEL123]

ASSALAM-O-ALAIKUM! I Strongly believe that ALLAH guides us and takes us where we are supposed to be.

[ArtisticVeil]

Assalaamualikum

I was one of those not so good daughters when I decided to change my degree after studying first year computer engineering to contemporary art. It was a little hard telling the parents because they couldn't understand why I wanted to study such a rubbish subject at a top university. Especially since the rest of my siblings are studying more academic subjects leading to well paid jobs. Anyhow I stood my ground and Alhamdulilah I was able to because I wasn't studying for a career but for subject specific knowledge and my parents knew that I wasn't planning on working full time. Now, they are happy to call me an artist and even do a fair bit of advertising of my work

Brother, I suggest you research your areas of interest in quite some detail based on your interests and skills. Consider the fact that you won't find 100% satisfaction in any career therefore it is important to opt for something which is a balance of job satisfaction, good pay and any other additional rewards/requirements you are looking for. At the end of the day you will be expected to bring home money for your family so you will need to make some compromises. Obviously with the more creative careers you will not have a typical job role and therefore in most cases there wont be a standard wage coming in. It will take longer to establish as you will be creating a job role for yourself rather than getting a ready-made role. Be sure to consider all aspects of your choice before you officially speak to your parents.

It might help if you visit the university careers centre and get in touch with people who are already pursuing a similar career. Try to get advice from people around you who know you in person.

Good luck and pray hard..All will be fine inshAllah

[haroonebrahim]

salaam.

I have a very simple Motto in Life - Always take on something you enjoy. Simple.

[Abdullah the Sheikh]

Asalam Walikum Brother. I was in a similar situation as you. After my first year in mechanical engineering, i did not find it interesting. Even tho i was good in math and all the physics, but sometimes i thought i should change it. i thought about doing computer science and discuessed with others. I discussed with my parents. they told me a very interesting thing. they said i have already done one year, if i decided to go on to different field, it will mean that i have wasted another year. If i want to finish college early and get settled as early as possible, i should continue study mechanical engineering. but with heart.

i pondered over the advice, and alhamdulilah, i thank them for giving me the advice. because to be honest, by the time u r done with ur 2nd year, you are more interested in studies and want to learn more (even though i had 0 interest in it after my first year). and i am glad i didnt start over with another field.

if you think you dont have to hurry up with ur studies and want to switch majors, i think it will be best for you to discuss with ur parents or with close family members who can help you out. as a brother who is also in engineering field, i can sugguest to you that build up ur interest in this field. physics can get better if you understand the concept and you try ur best. nothing is impossible brother. beside after you do B.S in engineering, do MBA, and it will open a wide variety of doors of opporunity for you inshallah.

ask Allah SWT to help you decide of what you should do. I think studying colleges should be done quicker, with good grades, so we can move on to the reality of our lifes. if we spend so much time then we need to in college, imagine how long more will it take to settle down, get married and get through with other aspects of life...