Down the Memory lane....

Yesterday someone asked me how and why u choose this field (Psychology and Special education)?? and i think that was the first time I gave words to my experience, and I was also surprised that how much I was, and I am blessed that I just go with the flow and ALLAH created paths for me.

Since childhood I heard from my parents that our daughter become a doctor and this engraved in my mind too, I was good student but not an extraordinary one. Time passed and I opted Pre-medical in intermediate. One day in our class during free period group of three friends having an argument one of them changed her subjects from Pre- medical to Arts and other friends are teasing her for this. All of a sudden, the one who was being teased said'' U WILL SEE I BECOME DOCTOR WHILE STUDYING ARTS''. That sentence was game changer for me as I really don't have any idea to how to become doctor after studying Arts subjects. After break I went to her and said how??? She said I will study Psychology and will do specialisation in it and will start my clinics. This gives me new thoughts and I started searching about psychology and its career opportunities.

After intermediate I got admission in B.A and selected Psychology as my major subject. After graduation I did M.Sc in Psychology. about a week later of my M.Sc result I was reading a newspaper in which I read an ad of PMD (Post Magistral Diploma) in Clinical Psychology and criteria of admission was M.Sc. psy which was offered in Bahria University Karachi (and I am from Punjab). Literally I have no idea about this diploma, when my father came from his office, I showed him newspaper and next moment he was dialling number of my uncle who was living in Karachi, and he asked him to get information about this course.
After a week I was travelling to Karachi for my Admission Test and from here new chapter of my life started.
Next day after reaching karachi was my admission test day, I along with my 2 uncles went to center for test. Test includes written test about psychology and after that personality assessment test, to check either we have any kind of psychological issues? And then interview with Director, Dr farrukh Z Ahmed She was Pakistani first lady Clinical Psychologist who did her Ph.D from Pitsberg in 1963. When I entered in her office I found a graceful lady wearing half blouse sleeve less sarii, coloured eyes, blond hairs with pixie cut and a long gold chain in her neck, looking at me and welcomed me with beautiful smile. She asked few questions about my city, my family, and some psychology related questions. Interview went very well. After 15-20 mins I left her office and went back to my uncle’s place.

After 2 days I got call from admin office of university that I got admission, and they gave me class commencement date. I was on the moon at that moment as I was first one from my city as well from my university who enrolled in this course.

After 20 days I again reached Karachi for classes and arrangement of my accommodation. That was also a new experience as I have never been in hostel. My Hostel was a small 3 room flat which was shared by 4 other university girls. I used to live in 8-bedroom big house so this flat gave me feeling of jail as its main door was same as jail doors (single door with wrought iron rods).

Luckily my roommate was from my city so instantly we made connection. After 2 days our classes started. That institute gives us new and practical knowledge, we visited hospital n after 1-2 months our intern ship was also started and as a therapist first client was referred to me. I still remember that day I was very confused as I was very young, and my first client was 45 years old MBBS doctor and came with depression symptoms. I went to my senior she calms me n said ‘’ u r competent enough n take this thing out of your mind that he is doctor, he is coming here as a patient and you are his therapist he doesn’t know treatment of his disorder, but u know, go with confidence and take his history’’. These words gave me wings and I entered therapy room as a pro therapist. That session went so well and after that long lasting journey begins.

Time flies and 1-year PMD course ended in blink of an eye, after that I got admission in M.Phil in same institute. In Initial days of my M.Phil one day my teacher came to me and said Uzma made your CV and give it to me on question she said we conducted a workshop in reputable organization which went so well and now they want to hire a person on good post from our institute and you are the best candidate for this. I gave her my CV and she sent that from institute ID.

AFter 2 days I was in market doing shopping with my friends received a call from HR person of that organization, they called me very next day for interview. I told my friends while buying clothes and asked one of them to come with me for this new adventure (job was not in my to do list at that time as I was in that city just for my studies).

Next day me and my friend left hostel around 8 as we both don’t know much about karachi city, so we asked taxi driver to drop us to our destination. After reaching and waiting for 5 minutes boss called me for interview. I entered in beautiful office where 3 ladies were sitting, they welcomed me with smile and asked different questions, they give me different scenarios as if so and so happened what will be your strategies as a Psychologist. I answered their querries. Interview went so well. I left room and came to my friend told her whole story and went back to our institute, after classes we again went for shopping. I really forgot about interview ( as this was a fun activity for me as I mentioned earlier that I went there just for adventure and to check my knowledge and market value).

Next week I was at my relative place when I got call from HR person and she informed me that I am selected for that post. I was very excited called my family and teachers everyone was so happy as I started my career with very reputable organization on a very good post.

So new adventure started job with M.Phil, I learnt a lot during that job new experiences, new friendships, new field knowledge, new links and found my hidden talents too. This tenure opens new horizons for me. I spent 4.5 years in Karachi and that was most beautiful and memorable time of my life I went there as a student and came back as a professional.

After coming back to my city, we friends went to our university (from where I did my M.Sc) for reunion gathering, met our teachers, all teachers were very happy as I was first student of department who did specialisation. My HOD said that they are going to start that diploma so may b they call me for few things I said any time sir I am just a call away.

Few days later I went to department for any work everyone was congratulating me for selection, and I was only one who do not know about this. I went to HOD office and asked him about my selection. He said yes you are selected, and you will teach Psychodiagnosis and along with that you are internship incharge means all students are going to conduct their session under my supervision. Meanwhile I applied in hospital for clinics, and they also called me and I was first practicing clinical psychologist in my city. So, in afternoon I went to university to teach Post Master’s level and in evening I did clinics.
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Time passed and after a year I got married my husband is govt employee and was posted in other province, so I left my both jobs and joined him. I was very active, fun loving and wants to explore new things so I joined ladies club of my husband’s organization.

That was again a new experience for me learnt a lot about self grooming, home decore, cooking, started traveling and added more adventure in my life. Meanwhile my husband got posted again and I went to new station with him, there again I joined ladies club attended many classes and also delivered many lectures.

One day while attending a cooking class my husband’s boss wife approached me and said we are opening special school and we need principal for that and criteria for principal is clinical psychologist. You are appropriate candidate for this, she asked for my cv and called me for interview. Interview was conducted by most senior lady of our community, many candidates were there and all of them are very deserving some of them are very senior to me. After few days I got a call from admin office that I am selected for this post and asked me to join in 2 days. Again I was thankful to Allah for his blessings.

From here new chapter of my life begin earlier I was teaching adults at Post master's level and now I was dealing with Montessori students, and these children are specially abled. Initially it was challenged to teach these children but after few months with different teaching strategies and teamwork things founded to organised and school started to be acclaimed in nearby areas and in short span of time students' strength increased. Many students streamlined to normal school.

After serving 4.5 years as principal time to leave that place came as my husband again posted.

With heavy heart I left that place because that school was my baby, I was pioneer principal of that school made system, streamlined things and did my best for betterment of children, staff and school.

New journey, new station, new people, found many beautiful friends and colleagues, here again I became active member of ladies' club. After reaching a month at new station one day received a call from admin staff of our community and to my surprise, he was asking for my cv for principal as per order of senior most lady of our community. Allah was so kind to me very next day I was called for interview and selected as principal. Joined school and did few changes regarding ambiance, assessment, class management and classroom settings. Enrolled school in special Olympics Pakistan, organised first Sports day, first annual day, students visit to different school and many more events now soon few students are streamlined to normal school, things are going smooth and trying my level best to do more for these children.

Now when I look back my heart filled with gratitude that how blessed I am and how fortunate that every time I get everything either its job or any other accomplishment, Allah provided me everything effortlessly.