Why did you choose LSE, and why did you choose your programme of study?
It was not a very difficult decision when it came to choosing the university where I wanted to pursue my postgraduate program. Being a student of Economics, I was well aware of the global reputation that LSE enjoys, specifically with regard to the university’s ranking in the field of social science. Another reason for choosing LSE was the diverse range of programmes that it offers. I wanted to pursue a postgraduate program in population and development, and no other university in UK offers it.
Overall, how do you look back on your LSE experience?
Though it may sound clichéd, but studying at LSE was a life changing experience both in terms of academic learning as well as personal life. It was for the first time that I was living away from home and experiencing dorm life. Thanks to the multicultural environment of London and the special help provided for international students at LSE, my settling in phase became very smooth. Within a span of few days, I got very comfortable with the new routine. London offers one of the best public transportation system, which was a great help as apart from easing the daily commute from university to dorms, one is also able to explore a lot more that the city has to offer without any transportation problems.
Why did you choose your current job?
While working on my dissertation, I got in touch with the country director of an international organization named Population council of Pakistan who gave me an offer to join their prestigious organization. Hence, still being in London I was able to secure a job back home which I believe would not have been possible, if I did not have LSE on my CV. However, due to relocation problems I was not able to continue that job for long and started serving as a research associate in the research centre of the top Management University of Pakistan where I was basically working on various energy sector projects.
Tell us about your current job:
My main motivation to choose IDEAS was the high quality and the content of the research work being produced over here. While pursuing a post graduate degree in population and development at LSE, I became quite clear on one thing, i.e., human development plays a crucial role in the development and progress of any country. I am currently working on various education sector projects that provide me an opportunity to deeply analyse the operations of the relevant sector, where do the fallacies lie and what can be done to overcome them. Moreover, my current job provides me ample opportunities to gain field experience.
What advice do you have for LSE students who are looking to enter a similar profession to you?
Currently, I am working in Lahore based research organization called IDEAS - Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives. My key responsibilities include conducting research and literature reviews; collecting, analysing and assembling information from a wide variety of sources and to synthesize research material, to write policy briefs, notes, summary and abstracts as required. I believe one of the main skills required to undertake this job amongst many other includes the art of time management, a skill that I was able to acquire after spending a year in LSE and London where every time you are faced with the choice of either completing your reading list for the upcoming week or to attend a university social etc. Only efficient time management allows one to undertake maximum if not all the tasks.