What can you do with a Writing, Literature, and Publishing degree from Emerson College?

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:

Average score: 65%
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, 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:

View a random Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduate from Emerson College and our analysis:


Relevance score: 95%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated 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 GRADUATION
Editorial Intern
SPIN Media
Jan 2014 - Apr 2014
The role of an Editorial Intern at SPIN Media does not require specific knowledge or skills in writing, literature, and publishing as core qualifications, as it likely focuses on junior editorial tasks and training.

Editorial Intern and Writer
CafeMom
May 2014 - Aug 2014
As an Editorial Intern and Writer at CafeMom, this position directly utilizes writing and publishing skills learned during the BFA program, requiring relevant expertise on a daily basis.

Photographer
Walt Disney World
Aug 2014 - Jan 2015
The position of Photographer at Walt Disney World does not relate to writing, literature, or publishing skills, as it primarily focuses on photography rather than editorial or literary expertise.

Contributing Writer
Thought Catalog
Jul 2014 - May 2015
The role as a Contributing Writer at Thought Catalog involves substantial use of writing skills and knowledge of literature, making it highly relevant to the BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.

Contributing Writer
Elite Daily
Aug 2014 - May 2015
As a Contributing Writer at Elite Daily, this position directly employs writing and content creation skills that align with the training received through the BFA program, demonstrating high relevance.

Freelance Writer
Freelance
Sep 2020 - Present
Freelance writing is directly aligned with the skills obtained during the BFA program, as it requires the application of writing and publishing knowledge on a regular basis.

Associate Writer
The Dodo
May 2015 - Dec 2016
The role of Associate Writer at The Dodo necessitates a strong command of writing and storytelling skills, which are integral parts of the BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.

Staff Writer
The Dodo
Dec 2016 - Mar 2022
As a Staff Writer at The Dodo, this position directly relies on the individual's writing expertise and publishing knowledge, making it highly relevant to the BFA degree.

Senior Writer
The Dodo
Apr 2022 - Present
The position of Senior Writer at The Dodo requires advanced writing and editing skills, which are critical components of the BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, demonstrating strong relevance.

ABOUT

I'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

What jobs can you get with a Writing, Literature, and Publishing degree from Emerson College?

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):

What kind of career trajectories do Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates from Emerson College have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

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.

How hard is a Writing, Literature, and Publishing degree from Emerson College?

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!

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, Literature, and Publishing.

Do Writing, Literature, and Publishing graduates from Emerson College tend to make good money?

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.

What buzzwords do Writing, Literature, and Publishing 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, 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:

What are the best colleges for Writing, Literature, and Publishing?

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