‘How I persuaded protective Asian parents to let their children take up internships’

I work in a small town in Pakistan, where awareness about career planning and profile building is limited.

Before my arrival, there was a career counsellor in our school who was doing her best to guide students, but the rapid increase in school strength over the past couple of years created new hurdles. The student body grew from about 200 students to more than 600, making personalised guidance difficult. Additionally, a noticeable shift was occurring: more students were opting for O and A levels instead of local board exams.

Parents, unfamiliar with the importance of a well-rounded profile, often prioritised academic achievements alone. Many believed that good grades were enough, unaware that universities and scholarship bodies look for holistic development. As a result, only 15 to 20 students engaged in internships, community service or summer schools last year.

Recognising this gap, I set out to educate parents and students about the importance of profile building, using the following steps.

Educating parents and students

Building trust and awareness

I approached parents through informal meetings and one-to-one conversations. I shared success stories of students who had benefited from internships and community service, emphasising how these activities had enriched their profiles and increased their chances of securing a scholarship.

Organising information meetings

I scheduled regular parent-teacher meetings, making sure to include a dedicated session on profile building. I invited alumni who had benefited from internships and summer programmes to share their experiences, which resonated well with parents.

Addressing concerns

The city of Sahiwal has some opportunities for internships – but not many. Many parents were hesitant about taking up internships beyond Sahiwal because of concerns for their children’s safety.

I explained to the parents how internships could be virtual, but also how students from all over the country move to bigger cities for a few days to join a community-service programme. I told the parents that at some point their children would be admitted to a university abroad – so they have to step outside their comfort zone to grow and learn.

Creating a step-by-step action plan for students

To motivate students, I developed a simple road map:

• Identify interests and strengths
• Research local internships or online programmes
• Register for community-service opportunities
• Attend summer schools and workshops
• Document activities for profiles.

Facilitating access and opportunities

I liaised with local organisations, NGOs and online platforms to create internship and community-service opportunities suitable for students. This made participation easier and more accessible.

Follow-up and encouragement

Regular follow-ups via WhatsApp groups, WhatsApp community and school visits kept parents and students motivated. I celebrated small successes – like completing an internship or volunteering for a community project – and highlighted these achievements on social platforms.

Results

Within a year, the number of students engaged in internships, community service and summer programmes increased from about 15 to 20 to between 60 and 70. Parents, initially sceptical, now actively participate in guiding their children towards extracurricular activities, recognising the value of a holistic profile.