In July 2020, Mohammad Mustafa Hassan embarked on an ambitious journey to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Pakistan’s young graduates: employability. The result of this endeavor was Career Launchpad, a groundbreaking platform designed to bridge the gap between academic education and the demands of the job market. Today, Career Launchpad stands as a beacon of hope for thousands of graduates across the country, offering them the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in the competitive world of work.
The Birth of Career Launchpad
The idea for Career Launchpad was born out of a stark realization by Mohammad and his colleagues at Teamup, the managing partner of the National Incubation Center in Islamabad. Pakistan produces around 800,000 graduates each year, yet nearly 90% of them struggle to find meaningful employment. The root of the problem, Mohammad identified, lay in the disconnect between university curricula and the realities of the job market. “Universities in Pakistan were simply not preparing students for the challenges they would face after graduation,” Mohammad explains. “They were lacking in soft skills, which are crucial for success in any professional environment.”
Determined to address this issue, Mohammad and his team conceptualized Career Launchpad as a 3-month intensive program where fresh graduates could gain the skills and insights needed to thrive in their careers. The program offers participants the chance to meet with founders, executives, and industry experts, providing them with 1:1 mentorship and training in areas such as interviewing, resume/CV writing, and personal branding. “Our goal was to equip graduates with the tools they need to not only secure a job but to excel in their chosen fields,” Mohammad says.
Mohammad Mustafa Hassan, pictured with CEO Jazz, Aamir Ibrahim during the launch of the second Career Launchpad cohort in 2021
Building Partnerships and Scaling Success
One of the key factors behind Career Launchpad’s rapid success has been the strategic partnerships Mohammad forged with leading educational institutions. “We knew that to make a real impact, we needed to collaborate with the top universities in the country,” Mohammad recalls. Through his efforts, Career Launchpad partnered with prestigious institutions like the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST). These partnerships enabled the platform to reach a broader audience and provide even more value to its participants.
“Working with NUST and FAST was a game-changer for us,” Mohammad notes. “It gave Career Launchpad the credibility and reach we needed to attract the best talent and connect them with top employers.” The success of these partnerships has paved the way for Career Launchpad to collaborate with nearly all the top universities in Pakistan, further solidifying its position as a leader in graduate employability training.
Since its inception, Career Launchpad has trained over 1,000 candidates, many of whom have gone on to secure positions at some of the world’s leading companies, including Binance, S&P Global, McKinsey, Jazz, and Telenor. “Seeing our graduates succeed at these top-tier organizations is incredibly rewarding,” Mohammad shares. “It’s a testament to the effectiveness of the program and the hard work of everyone involved.”
Mohammad Mustafa Hassan (left) pictured with Career Launchpad fellows at the first Cohort’s graduation
The Ongoing Impact of Career Launchpad
Although Mohammad is currently in Silicon Valley building his next startup, VALT Finance, he continues to play an active role in Career Launchpad. As a mentor and judge, he advises the team on how to scale and further refine the program, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of graduates and employers alike. “Career Launchpad is very close to my heart,” Mohammad says. “I’m committed to supporting its growth and helping it reach even greater heights.”
Looking ahead, Mohammad sees tremendous potential for Career Launchpad to expand its impact. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he acknowledges. “But with the right strategy and partnerships, I believe we can help even more graduates achieve their full potential and contribute to the growth of Pakistan’s economy.”
As Career Launchpad continues to thrive, it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when visionary leaders like Mohammad Mustafa Hassan set out to solve real-world problems. By providing young graduates with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, Career Launchpad is not only transforming individual lives but also helping to shape the future of Pakistan’s workforce.
