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First, some facts. Of the French Language and Literature 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 103 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, French Language and Literature graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) 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, 50% 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 French Language and Literature graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 77% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Grace College & Seminary with a Bachelor's Degree in French Language and Literature. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPharmacy Technician Dillons Grocery Store Jan 2013 - Jul 2013 Retail Associate Xanterra Parks & Resorts Jul 2013 - Sep 2013 Lead Retail Associate Xanterra Parks & Resorts Sep 2013 - Jul 2014 Retail Store Assistant Manager Xanterra Parks & Resorts Jul 2014 - Apr 2015 International Specialist  Butler Community College Jun 2015 - Sep 2017 Admissions Processing Coordinator  Friends University Oct 2017 - May 2018 International Specialist Butler Community College Jun 2018 - Sep 2021 International Student Advisor Butler Community College Sep 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMasters DegreeGrace College & Seminary 2015 - 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The analysis of job placements for individuals with a degree in French Language and Literature reveals a mixed bag of outcomes. While some graduates are lucky enough to find positions that align closely with their studies, namely in teaching (French Teacher, Graduate Instructor) and translation roles (Freelance Translator, French Interpreter), many others occupy positions that appear to be completely unrelated to their field of education. A notable number hold roles such as administrative assistants, customer service representatives, and other clerical positions where the specialized knowledge gained from their degree is rarely, if ever, applied. This disparity raises questions about the practicality and applicability of a French Language and Literature education in today’s job market.
Teaching roles are the most common and relevant jobs for these graduates, which makes sense since a Degree in French naturally lends itself to careers in education. French teachers, instructors, and tutors consistently utilize the language and literature skills acquired during their studies, providing a strong foundation for their professional responsibilities. Additionally, positions that involve language interpretation or translation also reflect a satisfactory relevance, as they directly apply the linguistic expertise cultivated during their academic years. This alignment between academia and occupation suggests that for those pursuing a career in education or linguistics, a degree in French Language and Literature is indeed valuable.
However, the majority of the surveyed job placements reveal a concerning trend where individuals end up in positions that are largely disconnected from their studies. Many are working as clerical staff, customer service agents, or in roles focused on operational functions that do not use their specialized knowledge in any meaningful way. This lack of applicable jobs may reflect larger trends in the workforce, where the demand for language-related positions may be overshadowed by more general administrative or technical roles. Thus, while the degree holders have developed communication and analytical skills through their studies, the relevance of their coursework to their everyday professional lives is often limited.
In conclusion, while French Language and Literature degrees can lead to fulfilling careers in education and translation, many graduates find themselves in unrelated fields that do not utilize their specialized knowledge. This suggests a potential mismatch between academia and job market realities, highlighting the importance for students to consider career trajectories before pursuing a degree that may not lead directly to relevant job opportunities. It may be beneficial for future graduates to seek out more vocationally oriented experiences or education that aligns better with the demands of today's workforce.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for French Language and Literature graduates:
When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from French Language and Literature programs, it's clear that there's quite a bit of variance in their paths. Some folks are finding their footing in jobs that utilize their language skills and cultural knowledge, while others seem to be drifting into roles that don’t really connect to their degrees at all. Right out of college, many seem to start with positions like office clerks, teaching assistants, or customer service roles—basically, jobs where having a degree is a plus, but not necessarily a requirement. For instance, a Northwestern grad ended up as an office clerk right after graduation, while others took on roles as private tutors, camp coordinators, or even server roles in restaurants. It's kind of a mixed bag when it comes to their first jobs.
As we move further down the timeline—five or ten years after graduation—the picture still remains somewhat muddled. While some graduates have found their niche in teaching or translation, others took a completely different route. For example, one grad shifted from being a French teacher to working as an English language consultant, whereas another transitioned into a paralegal role. There are also those who ended up in completely unrelated fields such as IT and marketing, where their French Language and Literature degrees seem to matter less. This trend suggests that while some graduates have leveraged their degrees effectively, many others have spread their wings into areas not directly tied to their education. Overall, it looks like if you study French Language and Literature, you might use it well, but there’s a solid chance you could end up in a job that's only loosely connected to what you studied—if at all. So yeah, it’s kind of a hit or miss situation when it comes to how these degrees translate into careers.
A Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature can be a bit of a mixed bag, depending on your interests and strengths. If you love the language, enjoy reading classic literature, and are willing to dive into grammar and cultural studies, you'll probably find it pretty engaging, though it can still be challenging at times—especially when it comes to translating texts or really grasping complex literary theories. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s not the hardest either. If you’re passionate about it, you might find that the effort pays off in making it feel a lot more manageable and enjoyable.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in French Language and Literature.
Looking at these profiles, it seems like some of the grads have managed to secure decent financial situations, while others are still trying to find their footing. For instance, a few graduates like the one from the University of Virginia have steadily climbed the ladder with positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, which generally pays well, indicating a strong earning potential. On the other hand, some graduates like the one who started as an Office Clerk and moved around various low-paying roles might not be seeing significant income growth. Overall, the variety of jobs and career paths suggests that while some have hit it big, others are still struggling to establish themselves financially.
Interestingly, fields like tech, law, and management appear to offer better financial outcomes for those graduating from these institutions. Meanwhile, roles in education and some service sectors may not pay as much, reflecting a broader trend that many college grads face today. So, if you’re aiming to make decent money post-college, focusing on in-demand skills or industries seems like a smart move!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in French Language and Literature. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in French Language and Literature (ordered by the average relevance score of their French Language and Literature graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: