Perhaps the most frequently asked question of students pursuing liberal arts or social sciences is: “What are your what are your career plans?” A common misconception persists that these students face limited job prospects in a world that undervalues their degrees. Habib University is actively challenging this narrative. Its graduates leave not only with market-ready skills but also with the intellectual depth and empathy essential for shaping a better world. One such example is Novaira Khan, from the class of 2020, who continues to excel in her career as a civil servant.
Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy and a deep-rooted desire to serve the country she calls home, Novaira enrolled in Habib University’s Social Development and Policy program. Today, she proudly serves Pakistan as a Civil Service Officer in the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service.
Habib University’s Impact
Novaira’s time at Habib was marked by the various courses she took that instilled within her a deep sense of empathy and the diverse perspectives and people she was surrounded by that in her own words, “solidified (her) determination to pursue a career in the civil service that is both impactful and meaningful.” Amongst the courses that had the greatest impact on her, was “Sacred Geographies”, a course that reflects the very values of anti-colonial knowledge systems and re-connecting with local heritage that Habib prides itself for.
In conversation with Habib University, Novaira highlighted the importance of Habib’s interdisciplinary approach to education and how the skills she learnt here helped her “successfully deconstruct the components of the CSS and pass it on her first attempt.”
Fueled by the passion for public service and making an impact, Novaira has conducted Audits for institutes like Khyber Teaching Hospital and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. It is her empathy and passion that drives her, allowing her to succeed in the difficult path of civil service life.
Novaira’s journey is an example of how much one can achieve if one sets their hearts to it, her story stands as an inspiration for all, for if one has the clarity of vision she does, success becomes inevitable.
