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First, some facts. Of the English Language And Literature-Letters 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 996 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, English Language And Literature-Letters graduates have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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, 41% 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 English Language And Literature-Letters graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 72% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language And Literature-Letters. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDean Of Students Chesterfield County Public Schools Jul 2018 - Jun 2019 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Chesterfield County Public Schools Aug 2011 - Jun 2020 Instructional Designer  Chesterfield County Public Schools Jun 2020 - Mar 2021 Technical Learning Developer  Amazon Robotics Mar 2021 - Jun 2021 Technical Learning Program Manager Amazon Robotics Jun 2021 - Apr 2022 Sr. Learning Experience Designer Amazon Apr 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - MEdUniversity of Virginia 2017 - 2019 ABOUTI've worked with stakeholders that vary from 11 year olds to applied scientists across public education and corporate learning settings for 13+ years. At work, you'll find me constantly testing the boundaries betwee learning, technology, and the future of work. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When diving into the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in English Language and Literature, a common theme emerges: teaching. A significant portion of these alumni have pursued careers as educators at various levels, particularly as English teachers or language instructors. The relevance of their degree to these roles is undeniable, as they must apply their knowledge of language and literature to effectively instruct students. Additionally, many have taken roles in editorial positions, publishing, or writing, all of which leverage the writing and analytical skills honed during their studies.
However, it's essential to recognize that not all graduates have found jobs that directly utilize their degree skills. A considerable number have ventured into positions in sales, customer service, and administration, where the knowledge gained from an English degree may not be immediately applicable. For instance, jobs like sales representatives, administrative assistants, or customer service roles typically do not require a deep understanding of literary concepts or writing proficiency, despite benefiting from basic communication skills developed during their education. Furthermore, positions in technical writing or legal fields often require additional qualifications or specific expertise that might not be covered in a traditional English Language and Literature program.
Overall, while many jobs pursued by these graduates showcase the direct applicability of their English degree, a substantial number reflect a more general use of communication and interpersonal skills rather than a specialized focus on literature. This contrast demonstrates the versatility of the degree but also raises questions about the alignment of academic preparation with actual job responsibilities. Thus, while teaching remains a prevalent and relevant path, the diversity of roles taken up by English Language and Literature graduates showcases both the breadth of potential careers and the varying levels of direct relevance to their academic training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for English Language And Literature-Letters graduates:
When diving into the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in English Language and Literature, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, many graduates have found successful and relevant careers straight after college, leaning into fields like education, writing, publishing, and other roles directly related to their studies. For instance, a lot of them began their careers as English teachers or language assistants, which is quite fitting given their academic background. As we look at their career trajectories over the years, particularly five to ten years later, we can see some patterns emerging.
For those just starting out, many graduates seem to gravitate towards positions like teaching—either in primary or secondary education—or into roles such as content writing and editing. This is pretty typical, considering that a degree in English provides essential skills in communication and critical thinking, which are highly valued in education and the literary field. Fast forward five years, and many remain in related fields, taking on roles with more responsibility, such as lead teacher positions or authorship in publishing houses. Others shifted laterally into non-traditional jobs within marketing or project management, showing a versatility in their skill set.
However, it’s essential to note a sizable group who veered off the expected path. As time progresses, we notice some graduates taking positions that don’t directly relate to their English degree—like administrative roles, sales, or customer service positions. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does suggest that the job market for strictly English-oriented jobs can be challenging. It could imply that while they might start strong, some end up in roles that are less aligned with their degree. Ultimately, graduates from English Language and Literature backgrounds seem to have a mix of fulfilling careers in their field but a notable portion of them work in unrelated positions after a few years in the workforce.
In a nutshell, acquiring a degree in English Language and Literature opens many doors and lays a solid foundation for various careers, but navigating that path can sometimes lead to unexpected turns. With dedication and flexibility, though, graduates can find their place, whether it's in education, writing, or other diverse fields. It’s essential to recognize and embrace the many possibilities this degree fosters, even if the journey looks different for each individual.
Honestly, a Bachelor degree in English Language and Literature can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not inherently harder than other degrees, but it does require a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, which can definitely be challenging if those aren’t your strong suits. You’ll spend countless hours analyzing texts and crafting essays, so if you enjoy getting lost in stories and expressing your thoughts on them, you might find it pretty engaging. However, if writing and deep analysis aren’t exactly your jam, it could feel a bit overwhelming at times. Overall, it’s on par with many humanities degrees - it’s manageable if you stay organized and passionate about the material, but it can be tough if you’re not really into it.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Language And Literature-Letters.
Looking at the career trajectories of these English Language and Literature graduates, we can see a mixed bag in terms of earnings potential. Many of them have taken on roles in education, which often pay lower on average compared to other industries, especially in the early years. For instance, those who are currently in teaching roles may not earn as high salaries compared to their peers in corporate or technical fields. However, some individuals have managed to land positions in areas like legal work, project management, or technical writing, which generally tend to support more competitive salaries. It seems like while some are well on their way to a prosperous career, especially those transitioning into fields like business or technology, others may have to navigate the slower financial growth typical of positions in education or lower-paying administrative roles.
In addition, the sheer diversity of the fields they’ve entered reflects broader economic trends where flexible skills in communication and writing can pivot into high demand areas, creating opportunities for higher pay. Therefore, while not all paths seem to lead to high earnings immediately, it's clear that there are opportunities to grow and earn more as they gain experience, particularly for those in strategic or technical roles. So, it’s a bit of a roll of the dice—those willing to adapt might fare better financially down the line as they progress in their careers.
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 Language And Literature-Letters. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in English Language And Literature-Letters (ordered by the average relevance score of their English Language And Literature-Letters graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of California, Berkeley
|
55 | 16 |
 University of California, Los Angeles
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54 | 17 |
 University of California, Davis
|
42 | 14 |
 Brigham Young University
|
40 | 13 |