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First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, English Literature graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a much lower likelihood (-14%) 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, 36% 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:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors Degree in English Literature. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCreative Developer The One Club Feb 2016 - 2016 Assistant Copywriter Eight Horses May 2017 - May 2018 Freelance Copywriter Self-Employed Sep 2017 - Present ABOUTCreativity is what drives me. Whether collaborating with others or concepting autonomously, this fascination with self-expression allows myself to share the nuance and complexity of personal experience. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job profiles of people who studied English Literature at UCLA, a lot of them seem to be in roles that don't really relate directly to their degree. Many have taken positions in corporate finance, administrative roles, or even sales, which just don’t tap into the literary analysis or writing skills they honed during their studies. For example, jobs like Collateral Analyst or Salmon Buyer seem worlds away from the world of poetry and prose! Even more creative roles, like marketing or product management, often sidestep the deep literary engagement that comes with an English degree. While some positions require solid communication skills—something an English major does develop—others are just plain unrelated, leading to a significant disconnect between what they studied and what they’re actually doing.
On the flip side, there are definitely some notable exceptions where alumni have secured jobs that closely relate to their English Literature backgrounds. Teaching roles, writing positions, and editorial work appear quite frequently among the profiles, showing that some graduates have found a way to channel their passion for literature into their careers. For example, becoming an English teacher, freelance writer, or even a script reader really aligns with the skills acquired during their studies. It's a mixed bag, but it highlights an important point: while a degree in English Literature provides valuable skills, its practical application can lead people down various career paths, some more aligned with the discipline than others.
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, Los Angeles):
Graduates from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in English Literature seem to have quite a mixed bag of career trajectories. Right after graduating, many of them are landing jobs in fields that don't directly relate to English Literature. For example, roles like project management, corporate positions, and even jobs in healthcare pop up frequently among the early career paths. This suggests they might be leveraging their communication skills and analytical thinking in various sectors, but not necessarily staying in fields closely tied to their degree. For instance, some graduates have ventured into roles like salmon buyer or collateral analyst, which seem far removed from literature and writing.
However, over the years, a noticeable shift occurs as some individuals begin to find their footing in more relevant positions. Within five to ten years post-graduation, a few have successfully transitioned to creative roles such as content writing, copywriting, and even teaching positions, which connect back to their literary background. Others pursue paths in law or business, indicating that the analytical and critical thinking skills honed during their studies can be quite versatile. While not everyone seems to have carved out a career directly aligned with English Literature, many have found ways to incorporate their strong communication skills into diverse fields, suggesting that a degree in this area can still open doors—even if the path isn’t straight and narrow. So, while some graduates seem to struggle in landing jobs that resonate with their studies, others forge successful careers that showcase the adaptability of their education.
Hey there! So, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at a school like UCLA can be challenging, but it also depends a lot on your interests and strengths. You'll dive deep into analyzing texts, writing essays, and discussing big ideas, which can be pretty intense if you're not super into reading and critiquing literature. It's not necessarily harder than average, but it does require a lot of critical thinking and time management since reading loads of novels and writing thoughtful papers can stack up. If you love books and enjoy exploring their meanings, you might find it rewarding and maybe even a bit easier than you expected! Just be ready to engage with tons of literature—both classic and contemporary—because that’s where the real fun (and the hard work) lies!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.
Looking at the job trajectories of these UCLA English Literature grads, it seems like they’re navigating quite a mixed bag in terms of earnings potential. Some of them, especially those who’ve landed in corporate roles or tech (like the Senior Product Manager at Autodesk or Corporate Counsel jobs), likely make solid salaries, especially since they’ve progressed to senior levels. Others, like teachers, freelance writers, and those doing more entry-level gigs, might not be pulling in as much cash, especially in the early years. Freelancing and teaching can be financially shaky without steady income. Overall, it looks like a few are definitely making decent money, while others might be struggling a bit, especially in the creative and educational sectors. So, it’s kind of a hit or miss depending on the specific path they took after college!
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, Los Angeles). 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:
