What can you do with a English Writing degree?

First, some facts. Of the English Writing graduates 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 51 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, English Writing graduates have a lower likelihood (-6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 61%
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, only 27% 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 Writing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random English Writing graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 18%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in English Writing. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Summer Legal Associate
Elliott Group, Ebara Corp
May 2019 - Aug 2019
The role of a Summer Legal Associate does not significantly require skills or knowledge from an English Writing degree, as it is centered on legal principles and practices rather than writing.

Advocate
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
Aug 2019 - Apr 2020
As an Advocate at the Moot Court Competition, some skills such as argumentation and writing are utilized, yet the core qualifications lean more towards legal knowledge than English writing.

Government Affairs Intern
Guardian Life
Jun 2020 - Jul 2020
The Government Affairs Intern position does not necessitate skills specific to English Writing, focusing instead on legislative processes and policies.

Senior Clinical Student
Penn State Law Family Law Clinic
Aug 2020 - May 2021
Working as a Senior Clinical Student at the Family Law Clinic likely involves writing and communication skills, but the predominant focus is on legal practice rather than English writing specifically.

Senior Law Clerk
Lupetin & Unatin, LLC
Sep 2021 - Jun 2022
The role of Senior Law Clerk primarily requires legal expertise and research skills, with limited overlap with an English Writing degree.

Associate Attorney
Margolis Edelstein
Apr 2023 - Present
While being an Associate Attorney involves substantial writing duties, it fundamentally requires a legal background rather than the specific skills taught in an English Writing program.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Law - JD
Penn State Law
2018 - 2021
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a English Writing degree?

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


From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with degrees in English Writing, it’s clear that they’ve taken a variety of paths after college. A significant number of these graduates found roles in fields like law, education, publishing, and even event coordination. Many ended up in positions where communication and writing skills are important but may not be the primary focus of their work. For instance, several have taken on roles as school counselors or legal assistants, where they do engage in writing and critical communication, yet the core responsibilities often dive deeper into legal or administrative tasks rather than purely writing-focused functions.

On the flip side, there are definitely a few standout roles that are closely tied to writing, like editorial positions, content creation, and freelance writing gigs. More than a few alumni landed jobs as copywriters, freelance writers, or editorial interns, where they could put their skills to full use. Yet, it’s worth noting that not every job these graduates ended up in truly utilized the specific skill set of an English Writing degree. For many, the relevance of their degree to their job varies greatly. Some roles, like teaching or grant writing, integrate English Writing skills deeply, while others — such as customer service or sales positions — seem to drift far from the program's core teachings. Overall, it seems like while there are diverse opportunities available to English Writing graduates, many end up in positions that isn’t fully aligned with their academic training.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for English Writing graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do English Writing graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of these English Writing graduates, there's a pretty mixed bag of outcomes. For many of them, the first jobs out of college vary widely, from internships in publishing and journalism to entry-level positions in fields like legal assistance and counseling. This suggests that right after graduation, these grads are often trying out different things, getting their foot in the door wherever they can, which seems pretty normal considering the competitive nature of the job market. However, there’s also a significant number of people who seem to have landed roles that don’t quite utilize their writing skills, like sales or operational roles, which raises the question about how many English Writing majors find themselves in positions directly related to their field of study.

Fast forward five or ten years, and the picture becomes clearer. Some graduates have successfully carved out careers that are pretty aligned with writing and editing—think editorial positions and freelance writing gigs, while others have taken quite divergent paths, landing in roles that are a stretch from writing, like claims adjusters and administrative positions. The successful progression into writing-related roles for some, like the managing editors and various writing professionals, shows that it can definitely be done, but it might take a while and a commitment to networking and gaining diverse experiences to get there. Ultimately, if you're considering a degree in English Writing, just know it can lead to a mix of opportunities, and while some find their dream careers, others may need to pivot or explore various paths along the way to find their niche.

How hard is a English Writing degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in English Writing can be challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you enjoy reading, writing, and expressing yourself creatively, you might find it a bit easier than some other majors. That said, there’s a lot of pressure to develop your voice, understand different styles, and meet deadlines on various writing assignments. Plus, getting good feedback and being critiqued can be tough at times. So, while it’s definitely doable, don’t underestimate the level of commitment and effort it takes to really excel in it!

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 Writing.

Do English Writing graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates, we can see a variety of career paths, and it’s pretty hit or miss when it comes to making decent money. The person who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018 seems to be on the right track with a steady climb in the legal field, which typically offers good pay, especially as an associate attorney. In contrast, the grad from Whitworth University has been stuck in customer service for years, which probably isn't raking in the bucks. Similarly, the folks with teaching and entry-level positions likely aren’t earning a ton either, especially the more recent grads who are just starting out in their careers.

On the flip side, some graduates have found more lucrative roles, like those in consulting or management. For example, recent positions like the Director of Operations and various editorial roles suggest that those individuals could be making a solid income. Still, there’s a significant portion of these graduates working in lower-paying jobs, especially those focused on education or more entry-level roles. So overall, while some are likely doing well, others might still be figuring out how to climb the salary ladder. It's a mixed bag, depending heavily on the industry and job level they’ve targeted.

What buzzwords do English Writing 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 Writing. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for English Writing?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in English Writing (ordered by the average relevance score of their English Writing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count