What can you do with a English degree from Brigham Young University?

First, some facts. Of the English graduates from Brigham Young University 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 38%, English graduates from Brigham Young University have a substantially lower likelihood (-29%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 38%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 15% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most English graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random English graduate from Brigham Young University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 38%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in English. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Secretary
Advantage Arts Academy
Aug 2022 - Nov 2022
The Secretary position at Advantage Arts Academy does not require specific knowledge or skills related to English studies, focusing instead on administrative tasks.

Mail Sorter
Brigham Young University
Jun 2023 - Sep 2023
The Mail Sorter role at Brigham Young University does not utilize English knowledge or skills, as it primarily involves sorting and distributing mail without any connection to language or literature.

Teaching Aide
Alpine School District
Nov 2022 - Present
The Teaching Aide position at Alpine School District may involve some aspects of English language and literature, particularly when assisting in classrooms focused on these subjects, but it is not a primary function of the role.

ABOUT

I have recently graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English and a minor in creative writing. I have experience copyediting for BYU's literary journal, Inscape, and am familiar with the entire editing process. I am currently writing my first novel, and have had one short story published in the anthology Band of Misfits.View my portfolio here: https://timidtypestress.blogspot.com/

What jobs can you get with a English degree from Brigham Young University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When we look at the career paths of Brigham Young University graduates with English degrees, it turns out that many of them end up in jobs that aren’t directly related to their field of study. A lot of roles like call center agents, administrative assistants, and customer service representatives seem to dominate the list. While these positions do rely on communication skills—which are definitely part of what an English degree teaches—they often lack the deeper engagement with literature, writing, or critical analysis that you might expect from a degree in English. It's kind of like they’re sidelined in the workforce, using just a fraction of what they learned.

However, it's not all dry and uninteresting! There are also graduates who find themselves in creative and writing-focused roles, such as SEO specialists, sales writers, and various positions in art and design. These jobs allow them to flex their writing and narrative muscles and show that an English degree can totally connect to the creative industries. So, while the bulk of positions might veer away from direct English applications, there are definitely some exciting roles that make full use of their skills. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, highlighting both the versatility of English graduates and the reality that not every job aligns perfectly with what they studied.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for English graduates (this is across all English graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Brigham Young University):

What kind of career trajectories do English graduates from Brigham Young University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of people who graduated with degrees in English from Brigham Young University, it seems like there's a mixed bag when it comes to what kind of jobs they score after graduation. Many of them seem to take on roles that are somewhat related to English, like editing and writing positions, but there are also quite a few who venture into areas that stray far from their major. For instance, some graduates started out as sales associates or in customer service roles, which, while not directly tied to English, show they’re still out there in the workforce. In the first few years after graduation, a lot seem to take on positions that might not be their dream job but help them build valuable skills and experience.

Fast forward a few years, and it seems like some of these graduates manage to climb the ladder into more relevant or specialized positions, like becoming a business operations manager or even a creative director, which definitely gives a nod to their English background. On the flip side, some graduates appear to stay within roles that don’t utilize their degree, like administrative assistants or customer service reps. A few have broken into law or education, which can be refreshing to see, but that’s not the case for everyone. Overall, while there are success stories among these English grads, there are plenty who end up in jobs that aren’t directly linked to what they studied. So, if you’re thinking about pursuing English, it’s a great major, but keep in mind that the path can be quite varied and includes a mix of roles related and unrelated to the field!

How hard is a English degree from Brigham Young University?

A Bachelor’s degree in English at Brigham Young University (BYU) can be a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. It’s not super easy, but it’s definitely not the hardest major out there either. You’ll spend a lot of time reading classic literature, writing essays, and analyzing texts, which can be pretty challenging if you’re not into that kind of stuff. Some students find the coursework engaging and rewarding, while others might feel overwhelmed by deadlines and expectations, especially if they're juggling other commitments. All in all, it’s definitely manageable, especially if you enjoy reading and writing, but it does require a solid amount of effort and dedication.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English.

Do English graduates from Brigham Young University tend to make good money?

Looking at the jobs of these BYU graduates, it seems like some of them have landed pretty decent gigs, especially those who went into design and law—they're likely pulling in good salaries now. For example, the graduate who moved up from Designer to Creative Director at Caroline Woods Design surely found a nice paycheck along that path. Others seem to have taken a more traditional route, like those in administrative or education roles, where the pay can be hit or miss. The recent grads are still doing entry-level work, so it might take them a little time before they really start to see the big bucks. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag—some are doing well, while others are still grinding it out in lower-paying jobs, so it's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to their bank accounts!

What buzzwords do English graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in English (this is across all English graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Brigham Young University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for English?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in English (ordered by the average relevance score of their English graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
The University of Texas at Austin 56 11
University of California, Los Angeles 53 14
The Ohio State University 41 14
Brigham Young University 38 13