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

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from The Ohio 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 36%, English Literature graduates from The Ohio State University have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-31%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 36%
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, 37% 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 The Ohio State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in English Literature. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Manage Repair Representative
Progressive Insurance
2016 - Jun 2019
The role of Manage Repair Representative does not require expertise in English Literature, focusing instead on claims management and customer service rather than literary analysis or communication theories.

senior multiline representative
Progressive Insurance
Jun 2019 - Jul 2021
As a senior multiline representative, the job primarily deals with claims processing and customer service, which are unrelated to the core skills and knowledge obtained from a degree in English Literature.

Managed Repair Supervisor
Progressive Insurance
Jul 2021 - Aug 2022
The position of Managed Repair Supervisor requires skills in management and insurance processes, lacking relevance to the analytical or creative abilities developed in an English Literature program.

Multiline supervisor
Progressive Insurance
May 2022 - Present
Multiline supervisor involves tasks related to insurance line management, which do not utilize specific competencies associated with English Literature, such as literary analysis or critical thinking about texts.

ABOUT

manage a team of 6-7 property damage estimators.

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

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


Based on the jobs held by English Literature graduates from The Ohio State University, it seems like a lot of them have ventured into fields that aren’t directly related to their degree. A significant number of graduates are doing roles in healthcare management, customer service, and various administrative positions—none of which heavily rely on literary analysis or communication skills specific to English Literature. For instance, many have taken on roles like Network Program Manager, Community Audit Manager, or even completely different paths like being a Senior Analyst in IT. These positions generally draw more on organizational skills and technical expertise than on the analytical or writing prowess cultivated in an English degree.

However, there are some standout cases where the degree aligns well with career choices. For instance, roles such as Copywriters, ESL teachers, and Youth Librarians highlight the direct application of skills from an English Literature background. These jobs require strong writing, comprehension, and communication abilities—all key components of the curriculum. Overall, while some graduates are successfully using their degree in relevant fields, many seem to pursue paths that don’t need the specialized skills laid out in their studies, showing a diverse career landscape that may or may not connect with English Literature directly.

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 The Ohio State University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of English Literature graduates from The Ohio State University, it seems like there’s a mixed bag of outcomes. For many, their first jobs after graduation don’t always relate directly to the literary field. Instead, you see some people jumping into roles like customer service, administrative positions, and even internships in industries like healthcare and technology. This could suggest that while they had the skills to analyze and communicate effectively, those skills weren't always landing them directly in jobs that leverage their literature background right off the bat.

Fast forward about five or ten years, and the picture still remains a bit varied. Some alumni have transitioned into roles that align more with their English degree, especially those who moved into teaching or became writers and editors. However, others have climbed the corporate ladder in fields like marketing or project management, which may not seem directly linked to English Literature but still require strong communication skills—something these grads certainly honed during their studies. Ultimately, while there are some success stories, a significant number appear to have veered off into jobs that don’t fully utilize their degree, perhaps highlighting the broader challenge many humanities grads face in the job market today.

How hard is a English Literature degree from The Ohio State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at The Ohio State University can be a bit challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy reading a ton of books, analyzing texts, and writing essays, you'll probably find it more manageable and even enjoyable. There’s a good amount of reading and critical thinking involved, and some students might struggle with the analysis and interpretation aspects, especially when you get into more complex literature. But if you're passionate about stories and language, it can be a rewarding experience. So, it’s not the easiest major out there, but it’s definitely doable if you put in the effort and have a genuine interest in the subject!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.

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

Looking at the career paths of these English Literature grads from The Ohio State University, it seems like some of them are definitely making decent money, while others are still finding their way. The ones who stayed in corporate roles, especially in healthcare or tech, like at UnitedHealth Group and Cardinal Health, likely have solid salaries and room for growth. But there are also folks who took on more creative or educational roles, like teaching and freelance writing, which typically don't pay as well in the early stages. So, it's a mixed bag—some seem to be thriving financially, while others are still building their careers and might not be cashing in as much just yet.

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 The Ohio 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