Complete Guide: Career Options After Second Year (FSc / ICS / I.Com / FA / FA-IT)
Confused about which path to choose after Second Year? This guide lists major options for each group (Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering, ICS, I.Com, FA, FA-IT), with clear pros, cons, and future scope to help you decide.
How to use this guide
Read the section that matches your study group. Each section contains:
- Popular degree/career options
- Pros — strengths of the path
- Cons — challenges to expect
- Future scope — job and growth prospects
Tip: Combine this with self-assessment (interests, strengths, financial situation) and advice from teachers or a career counselor.
1. FSc Pre-Medical
Popular Options
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- Pharm-D (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
- BS Nursing, BS Biotechnology, BS Microbiology, BS Biochemistry
- Medical Laboratory Technology, Forensic Sciences, Food & Nutrition
Pros
- High social respect and clear professional identity (doctor/dentist/pharmacist).
- Stable employment in hospitals, clinics, labs, and public health sectors.
- Strong opportunities for study/work abroad (scholarships, licensed practice).
Cons
- Very competitive entry tests (e.g., MDCAT) and limited government seats.
- Long and demanding study path (MBBS 5–6 years + house job, specializations longer).
- Private college fees can be very high.
Future Scope
Excellent long-term prospects: clinical practice, research, pharmaceutical industry, public health, and international opportunities. Allied health fields (nursing, lab tech, physiotherapy) are also growing rapidly.
2. FSc Pre-Engineering
Popular Options
- BE / BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Industrial Engineering
- BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering, BS Artificial Intelligence
- Architecture, Aerospace, Marine Engineering
- Nanotechnology, Mechatronics, Telecommunications
Pros
- Wide range of specializations to match different interests.
- Strong job market in construction, manufacturing, IT, transport, energy.
- Good prospects for higher studies and international careers.
Cons
- Certain engineering branches are saturated locally; fresh graduates may need strong portfolios or higher degrees.
- Requires solid math and problem-solving skills.
- Some fields demand costly internships, projects, or certifications for better jobs.
Future Scope
High for software, electrical, and civil engineers. Emerging areas like AI, robotics, and renewable energy are rapidly expanding—good for long-term growth and higher pay.
3. ICS (Intermediate in Computer Science)
Popular Options
- BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering
- BS Artificial Intelligence / Data Science / Machine Learning
- BS Information Technology, BS Cybersecurity
- Web & Mobile Development, Game Development, UI/UX & Multimedia
- Cloud, DevOps, Networking and Database Administration
Pros
- Fastest growing sector with many remote and freelance opportunities.
- Skill-based; practical projects can quickly lead to paid work.
- Higher earning potential compared to many other fresh graduate jobs.
Cons
- Requires constant learning—technologies change quickly.
- High competition for top roles; practical experience often matters more than degrees.
- Work can have high deadlines and pressure (especially in startups/IT firms).
Future Scope
Excellent. Pakistan’s IT exports and freelancing community are growing. Fields like AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and data science will remain in high demand globally.
4. I.Com (Intermediate in Commerce)
Popular Options
- B.Com (Commerce), BBA (Business Administration)
- Professional routes: CA (Chartered Accountancy), ACCA, ICMA, CFA
- Banking & Finance, Economics, Taxation, Business Analytics
- Marketing, Human Resources, Supply Chain & Logistics
Pros
- Clear path to corporate, banking, and finance careers.
- Professional certifications (CA/ACCA) are highly valued and can lead to very strong salaries.
- Versatile: good for entrepreneurs and family businesses.
Cons
- Professional qualifications (CA/ACCA) are long and challenging.
- Initial entry-level salaries can be modest without certifications or experience.
- Requires strong numerical and analytical skills for many roles.
Future Scope
Strong demand in finance, auditing, taxation, and corporate roles. E-commerce and fintech growth opens new career paths for commerce students.
5. FA (Faculty of Arts / General Arts)
Popular Options
- BA / BS in English, Urdu, History, Islamic Studies, Political Science
- Mass Communication, Media Studies, Journalism
- Law (LLB after BA), Psychology, Sociology
- Fine Arts, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Film & Media
Pros
- Great for creative and communication-oriented students.
- Good foundation for careers in media, law, public sector, and teaching.
- Flexible—many interdisciplinary and freelancing opportunities.
Cons
- Some arts careers require strong networking, portfolio, or postgraduate degrees.
- Job security and salary may be lower initially compared to medical/engineering.
- Success often depends on soft skills, creativity, and self-promotion.
Future Scope
Growing demand for content creators, media professionals, psychologists, and legal professionals. Creative industries and digital marketing are expanding rapidly.
6. FA-IT (Arts with Information Technology)
Popular Options
- BS Information Technology, BS Software Engineering
- Digital Media, Animation & Multimedia
- Web Development, E-Commerce & Digital Marketing
- Cybersecurity, UI/UX Design, Mobile App Development
Pros
- Combines creativity from arts with technical IT skills—very versatile.
- Good for freelancing, content production, and small business tech needs.
- Lower academic pressure compared to heavy science tracks, while still offering IT jobs.
Cons
- May require extra effort to reach the same depth as pure sciences (e.g., CS majors) for advanced IT roles.
- Employers may prefer CS/SE graduates for certain technical roles unless you have a strong portfolio.
Future Scope
Bright—especially in digital marketing, web development, e-commerce and multimedia. A practical portfolio and certifications (Google, AWS, Coursera) boost employability.
Quick Comparison (At-a-Glance)
Group | Top Career Choices | Key Pros | Key Cons | Future Scope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Medical | MBBS, BDS, Pharm-D, DPT, Nursing | High respect, stable jobs | Competitive, costly, long study | Excellent (healthcare & research) |
Pre-Engineering | Electrical, Civil, Software, Architecture | Many specializations, global demand | Requires strong math, some saturation | Very good (IT, infrastructure, renewables) |
ICS | CS, SE, AI, Cybersecurity | High pay, remote/freelance | Fast-changing tech, upskilling needed | Excellent (global demand) |
I.Com | B.Com, BBA, CA, ACCA | Clear corporate path, certifications valuable | Long professional exams, initial low pay | Strong (finance, accounting, fintech) |
FA | BA, Mass Comm, Psychology, Law | Creative & communication roles | Less job security initially | Good (media, legal, creative fields) |
FA-IT | IT + Creative: Web, Multimedia, Digital Marketing | Versatile, freelance-friendly | May need extra technical depth | Very good (digital economy) |
Next Steps & Practical Advice
- Self-assessment: List your favourite subjects, hobbies, and strengths.
- Research: Visit university websites, watch program videos, and read course outlines.
- Talk to people: Ask teachers, seniors, alumni, or professionals about real daily work in that career.
- Try short courses: For ICS/FA-IT, build small projects; for commerce, try basic accounting; for arts, build a portfolio.
- Keep options open: Consider allied fields (e.g., a Pre-Medical student could explore biotechnology or lab sciences).
- Plan finances: Consider scholarship, govt vs private college costs, and return on investment.