What can you do with a Writing degree?

First, some facts. Of the 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 71 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Writing graduates have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 55%
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 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 Writing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Writing graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's degree in Writing. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Shift Leader
Family Video
Jul 2014 - Aug 2015
The Shift Leader position at Family Video does not require any specific skills or knowledge related to writing, focusing instead on managerial duties in a retail environment.

Cash Rep. Coordinator
SEPHORA
Aug 2015 - Oct 2016
The Cash Rep. Coordinator role at SEPHORA does not utilize writing skills or knowledge, as it is primarily centered around cash management and coordination rather than writing-related tasks.

Customer Service Representative
Advantage Solutions: Sales, Marketing, Technology
Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
The Customer Service Representative position at Advantage Solutions is largely focused on customer interactions and solutions, with minimal application of the writing skills obtained from a writing degree.

Operations Lead
SEPHORA
Sep 2018 - Nov 2021
As an Operations Lead at SEPHORA, the job primarily involves overseeing operations rather than engaging in any writing-related tasks directly relevant to a writing degree.

Operations Assistant
SEPHORA
Mar 2022 - Present
The role of Operations Assistant at SEPHORA emphasizes operational support instead of utilizing skills or knowledge gained from a Bachelors degree in Writing.

ABOUT

Creative, punctual, hard working, detail-attentive person with a background in office work and customer service.

What jobs can you get with a Writing degree?

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


When we take a look at the kinds of jobs that people with writing degrees have landed, a few interesting trends pop up. The most common roles seem to lands in fields like communications, marketing, and content creation—especially freelance writing and various coordinator positions. Many individuals have made their mark as communications coordinators, writers, or digital marketers, which makes sense since these positions often blend knowledge of effective writing with skills in digital media. The ability to craft compelling narratives or marketing materials is a huge asset, and graduates are oftentimes well-prepped for these kinds of roles right out of college.

However, a significant number of individuals went down a path that doesn't directly utilize their writing skills. Jobs in retail, customer service, or entirely different sectors like education or technical roles appear quite often, and it often seems like their degree is not being put to use in those environments. Roles like teaching, some administrative support, or various management positions often require less emphasis on writing and more on other skill sets that may not reflect their training. Overall, while there are a good number of positions that are directly related to writing, such as freelance writers or communications specialists, there’s also a notable portion of graduates whose jobs do not capitalize on their degree's core competencies. So, while writing graduates definitely find relevant roles, a fair number end up in jobs where writing plays a much smaller role than you’d think!

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

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

When you look at the career trajectories of people who graduated with writing degrees, it's a mixed bag, honestly. Many of the profiles indicate that the first jobs out of college often don't directly correlate with writing, which is kind of surprising given the expectation that you’d be jumping straight into a writing-focused role. For instance, several graduates began their careers as social media assistants, marketing coordinators, or in various administrative roles that involve some writing but are more about coordination and management than pure content creation. This suggests that right out of college, many find themselves in positions that, while somewhat relevant, don’t showcase their writing skills fully.

Fast forward about five years later, and the landscape appears somewhat more optimistic. A notable number of individuals from these profiles transition into jobs that leverage their writing expertise, such as communications specialists, technical writers, and even freelance writing roles. Some graduates make impressive strides; for example, a few have landed positions as senior editors or communication managers. However, it's essential to acknowledge that for many, especially those who didn't secure writing-related roles promptly, their careers took them down paths that are not directly connected to their writing degrees. Roles in customer service, project management, and teaching seem fairly common, indicating that while they might be using communication skills learned during their writing studies, they aren't necessarily fulfilling career aspirations purely within the writing domain.

Looking a decade later, those who stuck with writing and communications often see significant advancement, possibly landing in senior roles or even in leadership positions at established companies. But, again, many individuals drifted into other sectors, indicating a possible lack of clarity or opportunity within the writing field itself. Whether it was necessity or a changing interest, a substantial portion of graduates appear to have mixed their passion for writing with other career pursuits, leading to diverse outcomes that might not align exactly with what they envisioned moving into after graduation. Overall, it seems that while a writing degree can set a foundational skill set, the actual career paths can veer off in numerous directions, often challenging the notion that it guarantees a straightforward writing career right away.

How hard is a Writing degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Writing can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty, and it really depends on your personal strengths and interests. If you love to read, write, and critique, you might find it easier than, say, a degree in engineering or math, which are often considered tougher. But don’t get me wrong; it’s not all about lounging around writing poetry! There are deadlines, peer reviews, and a ton of feedback that can feel overwhelming at times. You have to be open to revising your work and sometimes facing harsh criticism, which can be tough. Overall, it's probably a bit easier than a lot of other majors, but it still requires a good amount of effort and passion to excel. So, if writing's your jam, you'll likely enjoy the challenge!

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 Writing.

Do Writing graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these writing graduates, it's clear that their earning potential really varies based on their roles and industries. The ones who have landed positions like Communications Coordinator or Content Marketing Writer seem to be on a solid trajectory, likely raking in decent salaries. For example, the Communications Manager at The Fortune Society and the Senior Content Marketing Writer at Floor & Decor are likely making a good living, especially with their experience under their belts. On the other hand, some recent graduates who are still in entry-level or freelance positions might not be seeing as much income yet, which can be tough when starting out in fields like writing.

Overall, it looks like some of these folks are doing pretty well financially, especially those who have moved up into more specialized roles or have a steady stream of freelance work. However, there are definitely some who might still be feeling the pinch, especially if they are stuck in lower-paying jobs or part-time gigs while they build up their experience. It’s a mixed bag, but with persistence, many of them have good chances for better pay as they progress in their careers.

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

What are the best colleges for Writing?

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

College Score Count
Savannah College of Art and Design 69 12
Ithaca College 56 10