For many students, selecting a major and determining a career path is a difficult and often confusing process. We have specialized faculty advisors who help students in making meaning of their academic experiences and prepare for competitive and prestigious career opportunities.
The office provides opportunities for students to explore the intersection of their education, values, goals, skills and experiences to identify and realize their career aspirations. Among the available career services are counseling by appointment for exploring career goals and on a walk-in basis for quick career questions and resume feedback. Career counseling is not just for graduating seniors; there are benefits to developing a relationship with your specialized faculty advisor as soon as your first year at LUMS.
In general, all our advisors work with beginning students exploring all majors. In addition, most of our advisors have special expertise in one or more areas of study. Specialized advisors provide advising in the following 3 areas:
Major & Minor Advising:
- Accounting & Finance
- Management Sciences
- Public Management
- Computational Finance
Specialized Advisors are the Major and Minor Advisors from the faculty who represent their respective programs and are intimately familiar with specific major or minor requirements. They have the most current knowledge of discipline-specific things like:
- Course offerings
- Curricular sequence
- Independent study
- Research projects and internships
- Professional organizations
- Current trends
- Graduate schools
- Careers related to the field
We strongly recommend that students communicate frequently with the specialized advisors, even prior to declaring a major, so they can make informed decisions. After declaring a major, students should meet with their specialized faculty advisors each semester.
What is a Major & Minor?
A major is an extended study of one academic area, within one department of the LUMS. Many students are undecided about their majors when they enter LUMS and many who think they have decided will change their minds more than once before they graduate. There is a lot to choose from at a university of this size, and there are many factors to think about as you consider potential majors. Keep in mind that your degree is not the same thing as your major. Your major is only a part of your overall education at LUMS. In fact, most employers consider other factors to be more important when hiring for entry-level positions than a candidate's university major.
When should I choose a major?
The experience of choosing a major will be different for everyone; it is good to remember, though, that it is a process, one that may take several quarters. For some students, taking an introductory course in the subject will tell them what they need to know, while others will seek additional experience in the field as a research or teaching assistant. No matter what your process looks like, advisers can talk to you about your progress every step of the way.
For the first year, it's perfectly okay not to know what your major will be, but you should be taking steps to intelligently understand your options. As early as your freshman year, one or two of your courses each quarter should be in a subject you're considering as a major. Most students run through several potential majors before they land on a subject or discipline that holds their attention. Give yourself time to do this fruitful exploration by starting to investigate potential majors early in your academic career.
How soon can I declare a major?
- Majors are open to all students. You can be admitted into major by the end of freshmen year. You also have the chance to reconsider your major by the end of sophomore year.
- The Advising Office offers workshops that are geared toward guiding students through the academic and career exploration process. These workshops are conducted by specialized advisors on major selection.
How to contact the faculty or specialized advisor?
If you need any further information about this programme, please consult with specialized faculty advisors by getting an appointment through sending an email to the advising office undergradadvising.sdsb@lums.edu.pk