Sabin Jawed
Program: PMD-Institute of Professional Psychology– Karachi Campus
Batch: 2014
Program: MSC- Institute of Professional Psychology – Karachi Campus
Batch: 2008
Lead HR Manager – People & Culture
The Searle Company Limited (Part of the IBL Group) since 2014
Leading Corporate HR Functions & OD Projects along with HR Communication
Total experience: 16+ years
I cannot recall why but do recall that I somehow decided in 9th grade that I want to be a psychologist. It may be because of watching too many investigation series with forensic and criminal psychologists, helping in solving cases and using the mind to derive patterns and behaviours that intrigued me. I grew fond of the subject and did my own search on the subject, although it wasn’t really the googling times. Since observing people’s behaviour quietly always captivated my attention and somehow whatever research I could gather, did strengthen my decision to find ways in pursuing this as a career.
My next challenge was taking psychology as a subject. O’ and A ‘Level schools (in those times) did not offer Psychology nor at tuitions. Nevertheless, Sociology being closely related, I chose that. At the time of Bachelors, the family was not much happy about my decision and convincing me not to do B.A. (BBA being more popular choice) and going to Karachi University or out of city was out of question. However, I got enrolled in a college offering Psychology but to my dismay, they refused as I should have had all Science subjects or Psychology previously to get the option and they were adamant about it. Being a total non-science person and an average student, I was much away from the criteria. Finally, I got the option in Master’s (MSc.) program at IPP where they were at that time offering Psychology.
I must admit, I had the best academic time being in Institute of Professional Psychology, Bahria University. We had smaller number of students which meant greater attention and support from faculty. The teachers would challenge us in creative ways, even assessments were engaging in some courses. I learnt new things each day and was eager to attend classes, I found good bunch of people too and we helped each other out Moreover, we knew each one in the campus by name adding to the association and bonding, So, long story short, when I got in the program, I had willingly made an extra effort to cope up with the subject, had intrinsic and extrinsic factors of motivation, therefore, high level of interest, and that made me at par with others. I had set my aim for either majors in Criminal or Organizational (which was not available at the time) but settled in for Clinical. And Clinical now seems a wiser decision for me.
I was making myself aware how the corporate world functions and where space can be created though I did not have local examples, my choices were getting refined for the Organizational side rather than clinical. Though I enjoyed clinical practice too. With all this in the background, still I jumped on to the first opportunity I was offered (excited for first job after a professional degree) in the educational sector, working as a School Counsellor. Then after 2 years, I did get an opportunity to enter the corporate side with an HR & OD Consultancy where I learnt the process of different HR functions, more particularly “Training Design & Delivery”. Besides doing HR & OD projects (with heaps of research), being a corporate level trainer, I got trained in business development being in contact with numerous corporate clients, which actually gave me insight on how to fit in ‘this’ world. Then I initiated to pitch in my expertise for psychological assessments and counselling sessions for clients.
Further I took off to the HR side where my next experience was managing HR functional and operational side. Moreover, I got exposure to different types of trainings, and to the development sector as well. I have also been part of designing and advocating for socio-developmental campaigns which continues even now.
Next up was getting a big name on the CV. Well, more than a big name, it was a bigger company where I can explore more, do more considerable projects and see more results. I wanted to build on competencies of my own and people working in the organization. I got that opportunity based on my Training skills and at Searle I grew leaps as an HR professional; It wasn’t a piece of cake not being a business student, since whatever initiative you take, you need an overview to the business perspective. Yes, being a psychologist, I had an edge in some areas which needed to be exhibited to get valued in the organization and I was able to with my communication and interpersonal skills. I honed on my skill-set in functional HR and with People & Culture based projects.
Along with the professional journey, besides other things I do, I did radio and voice overs for a brief period, wrote articles for popular newspaper (writing for a section in Sunday Dawn) and so I consider myself fortunate as I love doing different things related or unrelated to psychology.
Since I incessantly worked with intrinsic motivation, I focused on being less conventional and more experimental, most importantly not depending on my job, and that I feel is the key to where I am today. I just couldn’t afford to be assumptive and wait for the right opportunity (related opportunities were good to start off). I faced a slow-paced career midway, jump on to things I did not enjoy but learnt and I had to okay about it and today I am happy I did all that and how I can lead with confidence. It had to be about learning, upscaling and self-growth.
Let’s see what comes next!