From Education to Global Development: Finding Your Career Path

What does it take to turn a background in education into a career that shapes policies, strengthens systems and creates change on a global scale? For students exploring opportunities beyond traditional teaching roles, the answer may lie in the diverse pathways offered by global development.

On 22 October 2026, the School of Education (SOE) Placement Office at LUMS hosted *Build a Career in Global Development*, featuring Ali Chaudhry Miraj, Operations Advisor, and Umair Mazher, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, at the World Bank. Drawing on their professional journeys, the speakers offered students a closer look at careers in the education and development sectors and how academic knowledge and practical skills can translate into meaningful work.

One of the session’s key takeaways was that there is no single route into global development. While one speaker had a clear sense of his interests and built expertise in a specific area, the other found his direction through exploration and experience. Their experiences highlighted the importance of staying open to opportunities while building relevant skills and a strong portfolio of work.

The speakers also emphasised that building a career in development involves more than securing a position at a well-known organisation. Understanding the priorities of governments and development organisations, developing expertise that responds to real-world needs, and demonstrating the value one can contribute are equally important. For students, this offered a practical perspective on how to approach career planning in a competitive and evolving sector.

The session highlighted that a career in global development is not defined by one degree or one career path, but by the ability to keep learning, adapt to new opportunities and apply one’s skills to meaningful challenges.