What can you do with a English Literature degree from California State University, Fullerton?

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from California State University, Fullerton 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, English Literature graduates from California State University, Fullerton have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
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, 36% 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 Literature graduate.

See the details:

View a random English Literature graduate from California State University, Fullerton and our analysis:


Relevance score: 46%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in English Literature. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Brand Ambassador
Roadtrip Nation
Sep 2019 - Nov 2019
The role of Brand Ambassador does not require specific skills or knowledge related to English Literature, focusing instead on promotion and marketing strategies.

Journalism Intern
Roadtrip Nation
Nov 2019 - Feb 2020
As a Journalism Intern, this position directly utilizes skills in writing and critical analysis, both of which are core components of a degree in English Literature.

Marketing and S Associate
Aramburo Produce Inc.
May 2018 - Jul 2020
The Marketing Associate role may involve some transferable skills from English Literature such as communication, but it primarily focuses on marketing strategies which are not core qualifications of the degree.

Event Coordinator
Roadtrip Nation
Oct 2020 - Jul 2021
Event Coordination can utilize organizational and communication skills developed in an English Literature program, but it does not primarily require literary analysis or writing skills.

Operations Assistant
La Morra Pizzeria
Jul 2021 - Jan 2022
The Operations Assistant position does not utilize any skills specific to English Literature, as it is more concerned with operational tasks and logistics.

Marketing Coordinator
Roadtrip Nation
Mar 2022 - Jul 2023
The Marketing Coordinator role may involve some relevant communication skills from English Literature, but the focus is largely on marketing rather than literary skills.

Jr. Partnerships Program Manager
Roadtrip Nation
Jul 2023 - Present
As a Jr. Partnerships Program Manager, while some communication and analytical skills may be relevant, the job's focus is more on partnerships rather than the core competencies of English Literature.

ABOUT

Creative individual eager to share time, experience, and skill with those who have a story to tell.

What jobs can you get with a English Literature degree from California State University, Fullerton?

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


When you look at the job paths of English Literature graduates from California State University, Fullerton, teaching English seems to be the most common route. Many of them have taken up roles as English teachers or adjunct faculty at various educational institutions, which is a solid match for their studies. These positions require a deep understanding of literature, grammar, and communication skills—all foundational elements of their degree. So, if you’re passionate about literature and want to share that love with others, becoming an English teacher can be an excellent pathway!

However, not all graduates have stuck to the literary track. Many have ventured into roles like marketing, administrative positions, or even customer service that don't directly relate to English Literature or utilize the critical thinking and analysis skills that come with it. For example, jobs in fields like e-commerce and banking predominantly focus on different qualifications. While there are some transferable skills, such as communication and organization, many of these roles don’t tap into the heart of literary analysis or writing. Overall, while a good number of graduates are finding relevant positions in education, there’s also a significant chunk working in areas that don’t fully reflect their background in English Literature, which is a bit of a mixed bag.

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 California State University, Fullerton):

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

Students who graduate with a degree in English Literature from California State University, Fullerton seem to follow a pretty diverse set of career paths. Early on, many land roles that are directly related to education, like teaching positions or adjunct faculty roles. It’s common for graduates to start out as English teachers in various school districts or take on positions like instructional designer, where they can use their writing and analytical skills. Some leap into creative roles in marketing, content writing, or administration, which can be a bit of a twist but still makes use of their communication expertise.

Fast forward about five years or so, and those who started in teaching tend to continue in education or move toward administrative positions within educational institutions. Others who initially dipped their toes in creative fields might find themselves climbing the ladder in positions like marketing coordinator or content manager. However, there are exceptions, with a few graduates ending up in fields that seem pretty detached from English Literature altogether, like banking or customer service. So, while there are definitely some impressive careers in areas related to English, the broader job market isn’t always as directly linked to their degree. Overall, it gives a mix of success stories and varied trajectories!

How hard is a English Literature degree from California State University, Fullerton?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature can be a mixed bag, and at Cal State Fullerton, it’s pretty much what you’d expect from a literature program. You’ll dive deep into various texts, analyze characters, and discuss themes, which can be really engaging but also challenging, especially if you’re not super into reading or writing. There’s a fair amount of reading, essays, and class discussions, so if you enjoy chatting about books and ideas, you might find it easier than others who might struggle with the workload. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s definitely manageable if you stay organized and keep up with your readings. Just be ready to put in some effort!

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 California State University, Fullerton tend to make good money?

Looking at these English Literature grads from Cal State Fullerton, it seems like they have had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. A lot of them started off in teaching roles or as adjunct faculty, which typically don’t pay all that well, especially in California. Those in the educational sector generally tend to earn less, especially if they're not in permanent positions. Some have shifted into more specialized roles, like the folks who landed positions in program coordination or business consulting, which could potentially be more lucrative, especially at places like Wells Fargo. However, many of their career paths seem to reflect a slow climb in earnings rather than immediate financial success. So, overall, while a few might be doing alright, a lot of them are probably just making enough to get by, especially early on in their careers.

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 California State University, Fullerton). 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