First, some facts. Of the Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates from Emerson College 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates from Emerson College have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) 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, 41% 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 Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 95%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Emerson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONEditorial InternSPIN Media Jan 2014 - Apr 2014 Editorial Intern and Writer CafeMom May 2014 - Aug 2014 Photographer Walt Disney World Aug 2014 - Jan 2015 Contributing Writer Thought Catalog Jul 2014 - May 2015 Contributing Writer Elite Daily Aug 2014 - May 2015 Freelance Writer Freelance Sep 2020 - Present Associate Writer The Dodo May 2015 - Dec 2016 Staff Writer The Dodo Dec 2016 - Mar 2022 Senior Writer The Dodo Apr 2022 - Present ABOUTI've been writing professionally since 2014 and in many other capacities long before then. Writer will always be one of my main identities and I couldn't be happier that I have the opportunity to do it every day. I'm always looking for stories to tell and new ways to tell them. The way I see the world is definitely unique. I'm neurodivergent and very comfortable with that identity, and I hope anyone I work with will embrace it as well. I work remotely and am a huge advocate for the work-from-home life it's an easy way to make many jobs accessible to a wider range of people.Dodo articles: https://www.thedodo.com/authors/caitlin-jill-andersFreelance work: https://medium.com/@caitlinjillanders |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles of Emerson College graduates with degrees in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, it seems like a variety of job types are represented, but there’s quite a mix between roles that are directly relevant to their field and those that diverge pretty far from it. Many graduates took up positions like Editorial Assistant, Copy Editor, or Freelance Writer, which strongly align with their studies. These roles require the kind of skills that their degree aimed to cultivate, such as writing, editing, and a solid understanding of the publishing world. Notably, positions like Associate Literary Agent and various internal roles within publishing companies are direct applications of the literary knowledge they gained in school.
On the flip side, a significant number of graduates also found themselves in jobs that have little to do with Writing, Literature, or Publishing. Roles in customer service, sales, or project management often focus more on general skills rather than the specialized skills nurtured during their degree program. While some positions may incorporate aspects of writing or communication, they often fall short of fully utilizing the graduates' literary talents. Overall, while many alumni have successfully pursued careers that leverage their writing skills, a fair number also ended up in jobs that don’t fully resonate with their academic focus, illustrating that the job market can be pretty diverse and sometimes unpredictable.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates (this is across all Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Emerson College):
Graduates from Emerson College's Writing, Literature, and Publishing program have taken various career paths, and it looks like there are quite a few success stories, especially when it comes to the first job out of college. Many of these individuals landed roles in editorial and marketing positions, often starting as interns or assistants in companies related to publishing, media, and digital marketing. For example, several graduates took up internships at well-known organizations like SPIN Media and CafeMom, which often led them to permanent positions in editing, content creation, and marketing. This initial jump into relevant fields indicates a solid starting point for many, showcasing the practical skills learned during their studies.
However, when you look at the long-term trajectories, the picture becomes a bit mixed. While some grads have advanced significantly in their careers—like the graduate who progressed from an editorial intern to a senior writer at The Dodo—others have veered off into roles that don’t seem directly tied to their major, such as project managers or teaching positions not focused on writing or publishing. Disappointingly, professionals with more indirect roles might feel less tied to their degree, showing that not every Emerson grad is thriving in a writing-centric career after five or ten years. Overall, while it’s clear that many have found satisfying and relevant roles, there’s a fair number who have had to pivot into different industries or less glamorous jobs, highlighting that the job market can be unpredictable for liberal arts graduates.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College can be a mix of challenging and rewarding, more on the challenging side, to be honest. You’ll be diving deep into not just writing but also critiquing literature and understanding the publishing world, which can get pretty intense. There’s a lot of reading and writing involved, and you’ll have to keep producing new work and revising your ideas constantly. It can definitely stretch your creativity and critical thinking, but if you love writing and are passionate about stories, it’s also a super fulfilling journey. So, while it's not the easiest degree out there, it’s definitely worth it if you're really into this stuff!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.
Looking at the career paths of these Emerson College grads, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. Some folks, like the ones working at Thieme Group or The Dodo, have worked their way up to solid positions in marketing and writing, which likely pays decently. But then you have others who have dabbled in a lot of different roles or stuck to lower-level positions, like those involved in food service or teaching right after graduation – which generally doesn’t pay that well. The more recent grads are mostly getting their start in entry-level jobs, like selling books or interning. Overall, it seems like some have found pretty good stability and salaries, while others might still be hustling to find their footing and make decent money.
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, Literature, and Publishing (this is across all Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Emerson College). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
College | Score | Count |
---|---|---|
Emerson College | 65 | 18 |