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First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from University of California, Berkeley 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 42%, English Literature graduates from University of California, Berkeley have a substantially lower likelihood (-25%) 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, only 33% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most English Literature graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 19% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAssistant to Public Information Officer City of Glendale, CA Jul 2011 - Jul 2013 Community Outreach Assistant  City of Glendale, CA Jul 2013 - Nov 2015 Economic Development Coordinator City of Glendale, CA Nov 2015 - Sep 2018 Senior Administrative Officer City of Glendale, CA Oct 2018 - Sep 2021 Principal Administrative Officer City of Glendale, CA Sep 2021 - May 2023 Deputy Director of Community Development City of Glendale, CA May 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Administration (MPA)University of Southern California 2015 - 2017 ABOUT15+ years of experience within municipal government with 8 years management experience. Adept at budget development and management, including administration of $103M+ combined Department and Successor Agency budgets. Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, and graphic. Zealous problem solver with propensity for detecting inefficiencies and implementing solutions. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
People who graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley have gone on to pursue a wide variety of jobs, but the most common roles tend to revolve around writing, editing, and content creation. Many have landed gigs as editors or content managers, like Features Editors or Senior Technical Writers, where they can directly apply their strong writing and analytical skills. For those in creative positions, like Senior Creative Producers or Executive Producers, their literary skills come into play by enabling them to craft compelling narratives and oversee storytelling projects. However, it’s worth noting that not all graduates find themselves in fields where their English Literature knowledge is directly applicable. A significant number have taken up roles that, while they may utilize general communication skills, stray far from the fundamentals of literary study, landing jobs as administrative officers, kitchen managers, or in various operational roles.
Overall, the relevance of the jobs to their English Literature background varies quite a bit. While some roles, particularly in media and publishing, leverage the skills honed through their English studies, many graduates end up in positions where their degree doesn't play a crucial role—like project management or administrative positions. Though the skills acquired in literature—like critical thinking, writing proficiency, and communication—can certainly provide an edge, it seems that a fair number of graduates pursue paths where these skills are not the primary focus. So, while having a degree in English Literature can set you up with strong competencies, the actual jobs taken can differ greatly in how relevant they are to the field of literature itself.
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 University of California, Berkeley):
It looks like graduates from UC Berkeley's English Literature program have taken quite a mix of career paths. For many, their first jobs right out of college often involve roles like content management, administrative positions, or community outreach. These initial steps usually seem to be somewhat related to their degree, especially in fields like content creation and editing, where strong writing and communication skills are key. For example, some have moved on to become features editors or creative producers, suggesting that those literary skills have paid off in the media industry.
However, about five to ten years down the line, the picture becomes a bit more diverse. While some graduates maintain a connection to writing and creativity in roles like technical writing or project management, others have ventured completely off the literary path into areas like operations or even retail. It’s also notable that some have climbed up the ranks in community-focused positions, showing that a literature degree can lead to meaningful roles in public service. That said, there are quite a few who seem to have found themselves in jobs that feel a bit disconnected from English Literature inherently, like administrative and support roles. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some are thriving in positions that leverage their literary background, while others are doing things that may not directly relate to what they studied, but hey, that’s the reality of many degrees!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at UC Berkeley is definitely no walk in the park, but it can be super rewarding if you’re into reading and analyzing texts. The coursework often involves a lot of reading—think classic novels, poetry, essays—and you’ll have to write a good amount of essays and critical analyses, which can be pretty challenging. The professors are usually fantastic and passionate about their subjects, but they expect a lot from you, so it requires strong analytical skills and a real commitment to literature. Compared to other majors, it might feel a bit more intense in terms of workload, especially with the emphasis on reading and writing, but if you love diving into stories and exploring themes, you might find it both challenging and enjoyable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.
So, looking at these UC Berkeley grads, it seems like some of them have landed pretty good jobs, especially those working in media and tech. For example, the person who's now a Vice President at First We Feast has likely seen some decent paychecks, and that path in creative roles tends to be lucrative. Others working in city administration have climbed the ladder, which usually comes with a stable salary that grows over time, too. However, there are a few folks, especially ones in entry-level and retail positions, who might not be raking it in just yet. Overall, if you’re aiming for good money after college, some of these career paths seem promising, but it looks like there’s a mixed bag for others still trying to find their footing.
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 University of California, Berkeley). 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:
