Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 79 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 37%, Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-30%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 54% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 22% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from St. John's College (NM) with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCrew Member Trader Joe's Jun 2012 - Jan 2015 Barista Bakery Nouveau Apr 2015 - Mar 2016 Copywriter  CouponCabin Jun 2016 - Apr 2019 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Arts - MAJohns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs 2019 - 2021 ABOUTExperienced writer and editor with a strong background in creating compelling and engaging content. Skilled in proofreading, editing, and providing high-quality written materials for a variety of platforms and audiences. Proven ability to meet deadlines and work efficiently in fast-paced environments. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look into what graduates with a degree in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics are doing now, it’s pretty eye-opening! There's a wide variety of jobs they’ve taken on, but one major takeaway is that many of these roles do not directly tie back to their formal education. A significant number of graduates have transitioned into fields like teaching, law, marketing, or administrative positions that, while they may use some transferable skills, don't interact with classical languages or literature on a regular basis.
Teaching, particularly in positions such as Latin teachers or graduate instructors, stands out as the most relevant career path for these graduates. Many individuals utilize their knowledge of classical languages directly, especially in high school or university settings. This groundwork is crucial, as a strong grasp of Latin and ancient Greek can be beneficial not just for teaching but also for understanding the roots of modern languages. However, outside of teaching, many graduates find themselves in roles like marketing coordinators, administrative assistants, or even project managers, where the connection to their degree becomes tenuous. In these positions, skills like critical thinking and communication are more applicable, thanks to a broad skill set gained through their classics training, but the jobs themselves don't regularly incorporate classical studies content.
It's interesting to note how some roles do show an overlap with the classical education, such as research assistants in various studies, content creators, or archival work related to history and culture. Still, these cases are less common. Positions found in the legal field, like those of judicial clerks and internship roles, often engage critical reasoning skills developed from classic studies, yet the direct correlation to the subject matter is limited. Moreover, roles like administrative assistants and various marketing positions dominate the list, where the link to classics is almost negligible. So, while there’s potential for a classics graduate to come across a role that resonates deeply with their studies, a large portion of the observed job market reflects a different narrative—a narrative that shows how versatile a classics education can be, yet also illustrates the challenge of relying solely on that degree to land a directly relevant job.
In summary, graduates with a degree in Classics take on a diverse range of roles, but most of them are not directly related to their studies. Teaching Latin remains the gold standard for applying their education, while many find their way into business, law, and administrative tracks where their skills are valuable but separate from their academic focus in classical studies. It’s a nuanced picture that highlights both the versatility and the disconnect that contemporary job markets exhibit from classical education.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics reveals a mixed bag of outcomes. Fresh out of college, many of these individuals land roles that might not directly relate to their field of study. For instance, some start with internships in historical preservation or teaching Latin at high schools. Others take on roles like administrative assistants or positions in customer service for a variety of organizations, indicating a significant departure from pursuing careers directly related to their degree. The reality is, while some graduates find niches that connect with their interests in Classics, many seem to take broader, more general career paths initially. This could be due to the competitive nature of specialized fields, especially in academia and the arts, where entry-level positions often require additional qualifications or experiences.
As we fast forward five or even ten years, there’s evidence of a diverse range of trajectories. Some graduates re-sign with their Classics backgrounds by moving into education or museum-related roles, whereas others pivot completely away from Classics. For example, individuals shift into areas like data analysis, marketing, or even legal careers, suggesting a significant fluidity in how a Classics degree can serve them. While it's clear that a few graduates maintain a clear connection to their original fields, such as becoming language teachers or scholars in Classics, many others seem to succeed in unrelated sectors. This reality can be both encouraging and sobering; it showcases the flexibility of a liberal arts education while also highlighting the challenges that graduates face in securing roles that specifically draw from their studies in Classics. Ultimately, while some enjoy successful careers relevant to their majors, it’s evident that many navigate a path through a variety of sectors and roles that may not closely align with their undergraduate focus.
A Bachelor’s degree in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you're into ancient history, languages, and literature, you might find the material engaging and rewarding, which can make it feel a bit easier. However, the coursework can be demanding, especially when you dive into learning things like ancient Greek or Latin, and you’ll also be expected to analyze complex texts and concepts. So, while it might be tougher than some other degrees, if you’re passionate about it, you might not find it overly hard. Just be ready to put in the effort to understand the nuances of ancient cultures and languages!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
When looking at the job paths of these Classics and Classical Languages graduates, it’s a mixed bag in terms of earnings. Some people, like the grad from Georgetown who became a Senior Consultant and later an Associate Director, have clearly moved into higher-paying roles, likely making decent money. Others, however, seem to have taken more traditional or lower-paying paths in education or nonprofit sectors, which typically don’t pay as well. For instance, the person who became a Latin teacher and the one working as a Certified Medical Assistant likely aren't raking in substantial salaries compared to their counterparts in higher-level consulting or law jobs.
Overall, it seems like while some folks in this group are thriving financially with solid career advancements, others are either stuck in entry-level jobs or pursuing vocations that don’t tend to pay much. If you consider the various paths—like becoming a pastor or taking on teaching roles—they offer meaningful work but might not bring in the big bucks. So, in summary, yeah, some are doing well while others may need to keep hustling for higher pay!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: