What can you do with a English Literature degree from University of Virginia?

First, some facts. Of the English Literature graduates from University of Virginia 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 above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, English Literature graduates from University of Virginia have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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 University of Virginia and our analysis:


Relevance score: 72%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer
C12 Capital Management
Oct 2014 - May 2017
The role of Executive Assistant to the CEO involves organizational and communication skills, but it does not directly require knowledge of English Literature.

Office Manager
C12 Capital Management
Mar 2015 - May 2017
As Office Manager, organizational skills are important, but the job does not specifically utilize the knowledge acquired in English Literature.

Executive Assistant to Chairman and Database Coordinator, Global Business Policy Council
Kearney
Oct 2017 - Dec 2018
The position of Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Database Coordinator may utilize communication skills and document management related to English Literature, thus demonstrating relevant application.

Executive Assistant to Chairman and Senior Database Coordinator, Global Business Policy Council
Kearney
Jan 2019 - Jan 2020
As Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Senior Database Coordinator, this role likely requires strong communication and organizational skills, aligning well with critical thinking and analysis fostered in English Literature.

Senior Database Coordinator & Strategic Accounts Specialist, Global Business Policy Council
Kearney
Jan 2020 - Dec 2022
The role of Senior Database Coordinator & Strategic Accounts Specialist requires written communication and analysis skills that are relevant to the knowledge acquired in English Literature.

Events & Marketing Specialist
Kearney
Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
The Events & Marketing Specialist role may involve elements of communication and creativity, but it does not directly require skills or knowledge specific to English Literature.

Events and Marketing Manager
Kearney
Jan 2024 - Present
As Events and Marketing Manager, while communication skills are beneficial, the core qualifications and focus of the job do not substantially relate to English Literature.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a English Literature degree from University of Virginia?

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


When looking at the career paths of people who studied English Literature at the University of Virginia, a few common job types stand out. A lot of graduates find roles in education, like teaching English or acting as tutors. These positions typically leverage the analytical and writing skills they've developed during their studies, making them quite relevant to their degree. For example, many graduates became teachers or tutors, which involves a lot of reading, writing, and discussion about literary texts—everything that English Lit majors really thrive on. On the other hand, some have pursued creative roles in writing, editing, or even acting, where understanding literature adds value to their work.

However, not all jobs held by these graduates are directly linked to English Literature. There are several instances where individuals took on roles in administration, marketing, or customer service—positions that, while they might require some communication skills, don't really tap into the core competencies of literary analysis or creative writing learned in their studies. So while there are definitely a good number of relevant positions, it’s clear that many graduates have ventured into fields where their degree isn't the main focus. Overall, the connection to English Literature varies widely depending on individual career choices, showing that English majors can adapt their skills to a broad range of professions, even if not all are directly related to literature.

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 Virginia):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Virginia with degrees in English Literature, it’s clear that people initially gravitate towards roles that leverage their writing and communication skills. Most graduates seem to start off in positions that are either directly related to education, like teaching roles or tutoring, or in creative fields like writing, editing, and theater. This makes sense, considering the critical thinking and analytical skills honed through an English Literature degree. However, there's also a noticeable shift over time, as some individuals move away from purely literary careers into broader roles in administration, marketing, and various non-profit sectors.

As time progresses, many graduates find themselves taking on managerial or coordinator roles, which may not be directly linked to their English Literature background but still utilize their critical thinking and communication abilities. A significant portion of these alumni also transitions into consistent roles in education, where they can apply their knowledge and skills. Others branch out into corporate environments, showcasing a diverse career path that includes education coordinators, marketing specialists, and executive assistants. So, while it’s promising that many get good jobs related to writing and teaching initially, there’s a fair mix of those who veer into more traditional corporate roles over the years. Overall, the trajectory seems quite flexible, showing both creativity and practicality among these graduates in navigating their career paths.

How hard is a English Literature degree from University of Virginia?

Hey! So, a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, like the one at the University of Virginia, tends to be on the challenging side, but it really depends on your passion for reading and writing. You’ll be diving into a lot of complex texts, analyzing themes, and writing essays that require not just comprehension but also critical thinking and a strong command of language. If you enjoy literature and have a knack for expressing your thoughts clearly, you might find it more manageable. However, if writing and deep analysis aren’t your thing, it could feel a bit tougher compared to other degrees. Overall, it’s not the easiest path, but if you're into stories and literature, it can be super rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature.

Do English Literature graduates from University of Virginia tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these English Literature grads from the University of Virginia, it seems like they've had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them, especially those who moved into teaching or non-profit roles, might be on the lower end of the salary spectrum, particularly in the earlier part of their careers. For example, substitute teaching and volunteer roles don’t usually pay much. Others, like the grad who worked their way up in a capital management firm, likely saw better pay as they progressed. Overall, while some have landed reasonably well-paying jobs, it seems like many are still hustling in areas that don’t pay as handsomely, especially in the arts and education sectors, at least early on.

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 University of Virginia). 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