First, some facts. Of the English Language And Literature-Letters graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, English Language And Literature-Letters graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a much lower likelihood (-13%) 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in English Language And Literature-Letters. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBook Production InternRed Hen Press Jan 2021 - Jun 2021 Book Seller Book Soup Dec 2020 - Jun 2021 Supervisor Book Soup Jun 2021 - Sep 2021 Store Manager Book Soup Sep 2021 - Nov 2021 Assistant Store Manager Book Soup Nov 2021 - Jun 2022 Publishing Workshop Fellow La Review of Books Jun 2022 - Jul 2022 Bookseller Village Well Books & Coffee Sep 2022 - Jun 2023 Bookseller Chevaliers Books Jul 2023 - Present ABOUT[NAME REMOVED] works in digital & print media. She studied English Literature at UCLA and, upon graduating summa cum laude, began working at some of Los Angeles' most storied indie bookstores. A fifth-generation Angeleno and first-generation college graduate, [NAME REMOVED] has spent years in the city's literary scene, from managing Book Soup to earning a fellowship at LARB's publishing workshop.Currently, she is a bookseller & community events program manager at Chevalier's Books, LA's oldest indie bookstore. Here she coordi[NAME REMOVED]es and runs art workshops and community-building nights amidst the book stacks. She is also the interior designer & merchandiser at her local toy store, Miracle Mile Toys & Gifts.In-between writing her short story collection & creating print collages, [NAME REMOVED] works as a teaching artist and leads zine workshops all around the city. She boasts a decade of teaching experience and is passio[NAME REMOVED]e about creating tangible art and supporting her local communities.Through her art, she explores images of androgyny and desire, focusing on the weird, the corporeal, and the marginal. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The graduates from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in English Language and Literature have taken on a wide variety of jobs after finishing their studies. Among the most common roles are those in education, like teachers and substitute teachers, where they directly apply their knowledge of language and literature every day. Many of them have gravitated to positions that leverage their communication skills, such as customer service representatives and administrative roles, although these jobs don't necessarily relate directly to their field of study. Interestingly, there are also several who ventured into more unconventional fields, including roles in retail management or sales, where the connection to English literature is more tenuous.
Overall, while some of these jobs are indeed relevant to English Language and Literature—such as teaching positions and freelance translation—many others reflect a broader application of skills or even a departure from the field entirely. Roles in customer service, administrative duties, and retail management often rely more on general communication skills or operational management than on literature proficiency. So, if you're considering this degree, it’s important to keep in mind that it can lead to a mix of career paths, some of which might not use your English skills as much as you’d expect! But on the bright side, the critical thinking and communication abilities you develop can be valuable in many different kinds of jobs.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for English Language And Literature-Letters graduates (this is across all English Language And Literature-Letters graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Los Angeles):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with an English Language and Literature degree from UCLA, there’s a bit of a mixed bag. Fresh out of college, many seem to kick off their careers in teaching roles, such as preschool or classroom teachers, which directly relates to their study of language and literature. A good chunk of them also find themselves in customer service and administrative positions, which isn’t necessarily a one-to-one match with their degree but shows the versatility of their skills. Interestingly, while some started in these entry-level roles, there seems to be a trend towards jobs in education, management, and even some creative fields like production and writing over the years.
Fast forward five to ten years later, and while some of these graduates have moved into more advanced roles like Executive Personal Assistants, Account Executives, or Grants Managers, others are still hanging onto teaching and similar jobs. It’s clear that while a degree in English can lead to solid careers—especially in teaching, writing, and non-profit sectors—there’s also a noticeable number who have drifted into unrelated fields or had to settle for jobs that might not utilize their specific skills as much. Overall, it feels like there's potential for success, but it varies widely; some end up deeply rooted in their fields, while others explore many different paths that don’t necessarily align with their initial studies.
Alright, so getting a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature at UCLA can be challenging, but it really depends on your mindset and interests. If you enjoy reading a lot, analyzing texts, and writing papers, you might find it pretty engaging rather than super tough. The coursework often involves a mix of classic literature, modern works, and critical theory, so it requires good analytical skills and a willingness to dive deep into discussions. However, it might not be as intense as sciences or engineering degrees, which have a heavier focus on math and lab work. Just be ready to read and write a ton! In the end, it’s all about how passionate you are about the subject; if you love words and stories, it can be a fun challenge rather than a grind.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Language And Literature-Letters.
Looking at the job paths of these UCLA English Language and Literature grads, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to earnings. Some have landed in solid teaching roles, which can be stable but might not pay as much, while others are hopping around in retail and customer service, which typically aren’t big money-makers. A few graduates have snagged positions in sales and management, which usually brings in better pay, especially if they advance. However, many seem to be in entry-level gigs or roles that don't scream high salary—like baristas or substitute teachers. All in all, while a few might be doing okay, it doesn’t look like many are swimming in cash right now.
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 is across all English Language And Literature-Letters graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Los Angeles). 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 | 54 | 17 |
University of California, Davis | 42 | 14 |
Brigham Young University | 40 | 13 |