THE young in our society are often increasingly focussed on their prospects in the two competitive examinations; the Central Superior Services (CSS) and the Provincial Civil Services (PCS). In an era where skill-based education is gaining momentum globally, we remain fixated on these exams, missing out on an essential aspect of knowledge-based education.

There is no doubt that CSS and PCS are prestigious career choices, and those genuinely interested should pursue them with dedication. However, we have glorified these examinations to such an extent that nearly 90 per cent of fresh graduates are now opting for this path to have a successful career.

The harsh reality is that many candi-dates are unable to clear the exams, and it is these individuals who often suffer the most. Having been part of this journey myself, I can say with certainty that aspirants give their 100pc, sacrificing gatherings, friend circles, social events, and even their mental wellbeing.

While many suggest maintaining a social life during preparation, only those who experience the pressure truly understand the pain of failure.

Given this grim scenario, a significant number of aspirants are now dealing with anxiety, depression as well as panic attacks. Many regularly visit psychiatrists for help.

This is not to demotivate anyone, but the idea is to shed light on the reality: it is just an exam like any other. Society has given it so much hype that we are neglecting other fields having even more potential.

Young freelancers around the world are earning a lot more than we can imagine because they were not bogged down by any social pressure to join government service.

Our skills, hard work, time and energy should be invested in diverse fields. We should start offering professional career counselling ervices, and educating the youth about the significance of skill-based learning and other viable career paths.

Yasmin Sana
Panjgur

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2025