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

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from San Francisco 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 40%, English Literature graduates from San Francisco State University have a substantially lower likelihood (-27%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 40%
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, 40% 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 San Francisco State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 74%

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

DEGREE INFO

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

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Research and Production Assistant
Documentary Film Institute at SF State
Sep 2014 - May 2016
The role of Research and Production Assistant may utilize some skills related to narrative and analysis from English Literature, but it is not directly centered around the core qualifications of the degree.

Graduate Teaching Associate
San Francisco State University
Sep 2014 - May 2016
Graduate Teaching Associate roles typically involve responsibilities unrelated to the specific curriculum of English Literature, as they focus more on administrative support rather than teaching or knowledge of literature itself.

Video Editor and Associate Producer
Under the Golden Gate (Internet TV Channel)
Sep 2013 - Mar 2020
The position as Video Editor and Associate Producer closely aligns with the storytelling and analytical skills acquired from a degree in English Literature, making it highly relevant as it involves daily use of those specific competencies.

ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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


From what I've seen about the careers of people who studied English Literature at San Francisco State University, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag of job types. A lot of them have gone into roles that don’t exactly scream "literary passion." You’ve got some folks working as servers, managers, and even in social media roles. While some of these positions definitely benefit from strong communication and analytical skills—think about writing blogs or managing customer interactions—they don't heavily rely on the core concepts of literary analysis or in-depth understanding of literature.

However, there are still a few standout jobs where graduates directly use skills from their English Literature background. Many have become English Second Language instructors, which is a perfect match for the knowledge they gained in school. There are also roles like content writing and teaching English, which make the connection back to their degree super clear. But overall, I'd say that while many graduates find jobs where they can apply some of their skills, a significant number end up in careers that aren't directly related to what they studied. It’s a great example of how a degree can open doors to various paths, even if those paths veer away from the literary world!

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 San Francisco State University):

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

So, looking at what English Literature graduates from San Francisco State University have done after they finished their degrees, it seems like a mixed bag. Right after graduation, many students often start off in roles that show a connection to their field, like teaching or content creation. For instance, graduates took positions as English Second Language instructors or content writers, which makes sense considering their background. Others have gone into more administrative or managerial roles in non-profits and businesses, which isn’t directly related to English Literature but shows a level of adaptability in the job market.

Fast forward five to ten years, though, and the trajectories start to veer off in different directions. Many graduates stuck with teaching or moved into educational roles, which seems to be a popular path. But then there are those who shifted entirely away from writing or literature into customer service management or mental health roles. As time goes on, it appears that some people found stable careers, but others might not have ended up in positions directly linked to their degree. It’s a bit of a gamble with an English degree for sure—some found fulfilling careers in related fields, while others ended up in jobs that seem more random or unrelated to what they studied. All in all, while some graduates carved a niche in the literary world, many branched out into diverse fields, highlighting both the versatility of an English Literature degree and the sometimes unpredictable nature of career paths post-graduation.

How hard is a English Literature degree from San Francisco State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at San Francisco State University—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. If you love reading, analyzing texts, and discussing ideas, you might find it super engaging and not too rough. The workload usually includes a lot of reading, writing essays, and participating in discussions, which can get overwhelming at times, especially if you’re juggling other classes or commitments. That said, if you’re passionate about literature and enjoy diving deep into books and their meanings, it can feel more rewarding than hard. Overall, it’s challenging but definitely manageable if you stay organized and passionate about the material!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.

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

So, looking at the job paths of these English Literature grads from San Francisco State University, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them started in lower-paying roles—like servers and teaching positions—especially early on after college, which is pretty common. However, as they gained experience, a few found themselves climbing the ladder into more stable and higher-paying jobs, particularly in fields like customer service management and mental health. The ones who got into tech or specialized roles seem to have opened doors to better salaries faster, which is cool. Overall, while many have likely experienced the financial struggles of entry-level gigs, others appear to be on paths that could lead to better financial stability down the road.

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 San Francisco 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