What can you do with a English Literature degree from Arizona State University?

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from Arizona State 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 48%, English Literature graduates from Arizona State University have a much lower likelihood (-19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 48%
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 31% 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 Literature graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random English Literature graduate from Arizona State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 54%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in English Literature. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Southwest Regional Director, National Volunteer
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Jan 2014 - Sep 2020
The role as Southwest Regional Director at Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority does involve leadership and communication skills, but it is not directly tied to the core qualifications of an English Literature degree.

Program Coordinator
Arizona State University
Feb 2012 - Jun 2016
As a Program Coordinator at Arizona State University, some skills like writing and communication may be applicable, but the job does not primarily utilize knowledge from English Literature on a daily basis.

Coordinator Senior
Arizona State University
Jun 2016 - Sep 2020
The position of Coordinator Senior at Arizona State University may benefit from skills acquired in an English Lit degree, but it more so focuses on administrative and organizational tasks unrelated to literature itself.

Campus Team/ Administrative Assistant
Helios Education Foundation
Sep 2021 - Present
The role of Campus Team/Administrative Assistant at Helios Education Foundation does not require expertise in English Literature and is more centered around administrative duties.

CEO & Founder of The Funky Latina Productions
The Funky Latina
Nov 2019 - Present
As CEO & Founder of The Funky Latina Productions, the position directly engages with storytelling and content creation, leveraging skills and knowledge from the English Literature degree significantly in a practical context.

ABOUT

[NAME REMOVED] Bustamante AKA The Funky Latina is an Event Producer, Host and DJ based in Phoenix. In 2022, she founded the Funky Latina Music Festival an annual showcase for Latin indie artists. She was also a Partner and Music Curator for the Phochella Art & Music Festival.She has hosted a variety of events, including: the pop-up concert series Joy to the Polls, the Latina-owned Mujeres Mercado, ASUs Movies on the Field, and countless live performances throughout the Valley of the Sun.[NAME REMOVED] is a music maven. She has curated playlists for brands such as Buchanans and Shop Latinx, written articles for Remezcla, and served as a guest speaker at Girls Rock! Phoenix a nonprofit that empowers kids through music.Currently, she hosts a live Instagram talk show, Lets Hear It sharing her music expertise and chatting with emerging artists. She is also featured in a documentary short, The Funky Latina, which chronicles her inspirational journey producing her inaugural music festival. The film premiered at the Chandler International Film Festival and has been an Official Selection at the Orange County Latino Film Festival and the Flagstaff International Film Festival, among others. In 2021, [NAME REMOVED] was featured by The Arizona Republic as a Latino Influencer to Follow. She received her BA from Arizona State University.

What jobs can you get with a English Literature degree from Arizona State University?

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


Based on the LinkedIn profiles analyzed, it looks like many graduates with a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University have ended up in a variety of roles, but not all of them are directly tied to their degree. A common trend is that many graduates have taken on teaching positions, particularly as English teachers. These roles, whether in public schools or self-employment as tutors, are highly relevant to their English Literature background since they utilize their knowledge of literature and language skills daily. Additionally, there are some who have ventured into editing, content creation, or roles that require a strong command of language, such as managing communications or community engagement—these jobs connect more closely with their academic training. However, a significant portion of these graduates has ended up in jobs that don't really require knowledge of English Literature at all, like administrative positions, HR roles, and various industry-specific jobs such as legal assistants and some tech positions. Many of these jobs emphasize skills that are somewhat tangential, like communication or analytical thinking, which can be useful regardless of major, but they don't delve into literary analysis or critical engagement with texts. So, while some grads are successfully leveraging their degree in related fields, a notable number are in positions that might leave them feeling a bit disconnected from what they studied in college. It’s a mixed bag, that's for sure!

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

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

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from Arizona State University's English Literature program, there’s a pretty diverse mix across the board. Right after graduation, many people seem to start out in teaching roles, like English teachers in various schools, which makes sense given their degree. This path gets a lot of traction early on—especially for those with a passion for education. Others land jobs in administrative roles at universities or even dive into content creation and editing. Some graduates also venture into more niche fields like legal assistance or project management, which may not be directly linked to English Literature but still show how versatile their skills can be.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and it’s a mixed bag! Some folks have stuck with education and climbed the ranks to positions like Dean of Instruction or even developed their own educational programs. Others have shifted gears entirely, moving into roles that, while perhaps not the most expected for an English degree, still leverage their communication skills. For instance, roles in human resources, project management, or even gaming production have become popular paths. However, it's clear that not everyone has managed to find positions closely aligned with their major, and some are in roles that may feel a bit disconnected from what they studied. Overall, while many graduates have forged exciting careers related to literature and education, there are certainly plenty who have found their way into roles in totally different fields, showing that a degree in English Literature can open a wide array of doors, though it may not always lead directly to a job in that realm.

How hard is a English Literature degree from Arizona State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Arizona State University is generally considered to be on the moderately challenging side, kind of like a nice mix of interesting and demanding. You’ll spend a lot of time reading, analyzing texts, and writing essays, which can be pretty heavy sometimes, especially if you’re not a fan of diving deep into dense literature. But if you enjoy books and discussing themes and characters, you might find it more engaging than exhausting! It’s not as cutthroat as some STEM fields, but you definitely need to keep up with the readings and participate in discussions to really get the most out of it. Overall, if you have a passion for literature and writing, it’ll be more enjoyable than it is tough!

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 Literature.

Do English Literature graduates from Arizona State University tend to make good money?

Based on the LinkedIn profiles you shared, it looks like the graduates from Arizona State University have had a pretty mixed bag in terms of earning potential. Some have climbed the ladder to decent positions like Supervisors, Program Officers, and even Associate Attorneys, which usually come with good salaries, while others remain in teaching or entry-level roles where pay can be on the lower side. The teaching positions often indicate a love for education rather than big bucks, and freelance gigs can be super variable in income too. Overall, it seems like a few hit that sweet spot of making good money, but many are either finding their way or perhaps settling for less-than-ideal financial situations.

What buzzwords do English Literature 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 Literature (this is across all English Literature graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Arizona State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for English Literature?

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

College Score Count
University of Michigan 72 10
University of Virginia 69 10
Indiana University Bloomington 65 10
Florida International University 64 13
Texas A&M University 61 12
University of Central Florida 58 11
Brigham Young University 58 12
The University of Georgia 58 10
Rutgers University 58 10
University of Maryland College Park 55 10
University of Washington 53 18
University of California, Los Angeles 53 19
Fordham University 53 11
Florida State University 52 16
California State University, Fullerton 49 11
Arizona State University 48 22
The University of Texas at Austin 48 13
University at Buffalo 47 10
University of Iowa 45 13
University of Houston 43 10
Kennesaw State University 43 10
Southern New Hampshire University 42 10
University of California, Berkeley 42 12
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 41 10
San Francisco State University 40 10
James Madison University 38 13
The Ohio State University 36 16
Western Washington University 34 12
Binghamton University 32 12
University of Phoenix 31 10