What can you do with a English Literature degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from Indiana University Bloomington 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, English Literature graduates from Indiana University Bloomington have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 65%
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, 60% 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 Indiana University Bloomington and our analysis:


Relevance score: 83%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Guest Services Associate
European Wax Center
Aug 2016 - Aug 2017
The role of Guest Services Associate does not involve the specific skills or knowledge from an English Literature degree, as it primarily focuses on customer service rather than literary analysis or writing.

Administrative Assistant
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
Oct 2016 - Jan 2018
The Administrative Assistant position at Indiana Legal Services may utilize some writing and organizational skills learned in English literature, but it doesn't directly require the core qualifications specific to the degree.

Assistant Project Manager
Ascher Brothers
Jan 2018 - Mar 2018
As an Assistant Project Manager, certain communication and organizational skills acquired from an English Literature degree may be involved, but project management typically requires specialized knowledge beyond literary studies.

Freelance Copyeditor
Agate Publishing, Inc.
Mar 2018 - Jan 2019
The Freelance Copyeditor role directly utilizes writing and editing skills derived from an English Literature degree, requiring constant application of those core literary competencies.

Content Development Coordinator
Agate Publishing, Inc.
Jan 2019 - Sep 2021
The role of Content Development Coordinator relies heavily on skills related to content creation, analysis, and literature, making it highly relevant to the English Literature degree.

Associate Manager of Content Development
Agate Publishing, Inc.
Sep 2021 - May 2024
As Associate Manager of Content Development, this position demands expertise in writing and content strategy that aligns closely with the skills acquired from an English Literature degree.

Manager of Content Development
Agate Publishing, Inc.
Jul 2022 - Present
The Manager of Content Development role requires advanced abilities in literary analysis and content curation, directly applying knowledge from the English Literature degree on a daily basis.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Trinity Cert TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
TEFL in Spain
2017 - 2017
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a English Literature degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

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


When you look at the jobs that graduates from Indiana University Bloomington with an English Literature degree have taken on, you'll notice a mix of positions that really hit the mark and others that seem a bit off the track. Many of these roles, like Grant Writer at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Content Development Coordinator positions, show a direct connection to the skills learned in an English Literature program. They involve writing, analysis, and the ability to communicate effectively, all key components of literary studies. Then you've got jobs like Fund Development Officer or even Management positions at organizations like Shedd Aquarium that focus more on fundraising or administrative tasks rather than any literary knowledge. That said, the trend leans toward roles that seem more aligned with soft skills rather than specific English Literature expertise.

Overall, while there are definitely some paths where they’ve made great use of their English Literature foundations, a sizable chunk of the jobs are less about analyzing text and more about applying general communication skills. Teaching positions, copywriting, and roles in publishing or content development show that English Literature graduates can thrive when they stick close to their core competencies. But for many others, it seems their jobs are more about utilizing communication skills in various fields rather than diving deep into literary analysis or creative writing. So, while they may have a valuable skill set from their degree, not all career paths end up directly pulling from that English Literature background.

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 Indiana University Bloomington):

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

It seems like people who graduated with a degree in English Literature from Indiana University Bloomington have taken a pretty diverse range of career paths. For many of them, their first jobs right after graduation often lean towards positions in marketing, content development, or education. Some grads got roles like a marketing graduate assistant or administrative positions in various organizations, which play off the skills they developed in their English Literature program, like communication and analytical thinking.

As they move five to ten years into their careers, there’s a noticeable shift for some folks into more managerial and strategic roles, especially in industries like fundraising and content management. Many have found their groove in creative fields, such as copyediting and content strategy, while others have gone into teaching or even more niche areas like library science. However, it’s also clear that not everyone sticks to writing-focused jobs. Some have taken more administrative paths or ended up in positions that seem a bit disconnected from their English Lit background. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but there are definitely some success stories that align with their studies, showing that a degree in English Literature can lead to fulfilling careers in various sectors.

How hard is a English Literature degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Indiana University Bloomington is pretty manageable, but it definitely has its challenges like any degree. You'll spend a lot of time reading, analyzing texts, and writing essays, which can be intense, especially if you're not into long literary works or deep analysis. If you enjoy reading and discussing stories and ideas, you'll likely find it enjoyable and rewarding, but it does require a good amount of critical thinking and writing skills. Overall, it's not necessarily harder or easier than average; it really depends on your interests and how comfortable you are with the workload. Just keep up with your readings and don't be afraid to engage in class discussions, and you'll do just fine!

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 Indiana University Bloomington tend to make good money?

Looking at these Indiana University Bloomington English grads, it seems like they've managed to land some pretty decent jobs, though the pay scale varies quite a bit. The ones working in marketing, content development, and project management at places like Uber and American Express probably have some nice salaries, especially as they've climbed the corporate ladder. The teacher roles and internships, however, typically don't pay as well, and you can imagine that's a bit of a struggle, especially for those just starting out. Overall, it looks like some are definitely doing well and can make a good living, while others might be hustling a bit harder to make ends meet. So, in a nutshell, it’s a mixed bag, but there's potential for good money if you play your cards right!

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 Indiana University Bloomington). 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