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:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
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:
Relevance score: 83%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated 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 GRADUATIONGuest Services AssociateEuropean Wax Center Aug 2016 - Aug 2017 Administrative Assistant Indiana Legal Services, Inc. Oct 2016 - Jan 2018 Assistant Project Manager Ascher Brothers Jan 2018 - Mar 2018 Freelance Copyeditor Agate Publishing, Inc. Mar 2018 - Jan 2019 Content Development Coordinator Agate Publishing, Inc. Jan 2019 - Sep 2021 Associate Manager of Content Development Agate Publishing, Inc. Sep 2021 - May 2024 Manager of Content Development Agate Publishing, Inc. Jul 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGTrinity Cert TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)TEFL in Spain 2017 - 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
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):
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.
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!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.
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!
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:
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: