Literature

What Can You Do with a Literature Degree?

An English literature degree can open several doors for you once you have graduated. Whether you want to continue your studies and pursue a postgraduate course, land an exciting job in the media or work behind the scenes in publishing, there are many rewarding and lucrative opportunities for literature major graduates.

Within the below guide, you will discover everything you need to know about undertaking a literature degree including how to choose the right college for your educational needs and how much you can expect to earn once qualified.

Is a literature degree the right choice for me?

If you are unsure about whether a literature major is the right choice for your career goals, it can be helpful to delve a little deeper into the course material.

The study of literature focuses mainly on analysis, debate and critical theorizing about a large number of published works including novels, poems and plays. You can expect to have to share and defend your ideas and engage in healthy debates.

A highly rewarding degree, the analytical skills you will learn through your studies can be applied to prestigious industries such as law and teaching, as well as more creative sectors such as advertising and marketing.

What can I do with a literature degree?

As touched on briefly above, there is a wide range of fulfilling and well-paid careers that you can pursue once you have completed your literature major.

Below are the most popular jobs for graduates with a literature degree.

Journalist

As a journalist, you would research and write stories for national, regional and local press. You need to have excellent written and verbal communications skills and be driven to succeed as this position is highly competitive.

The average salary for a Journalist is $46,270 per annum.

Proof-reader

Responsible for performing quality checks on publications before they go to print, you could choose to work on books, magazines, websites or on business reports. You need to have excellent attention to detail to succeed in this role.

The average salary for a Proof-Reader is $43,200, with an expected job growth of 6.1%.

Lexicographer

As a lexicographer, you will have to search specialist databases comprising of thousands of pieces of language for evidence of meanings and usages of a particular word or phrase. You may also be involved in researching and identifying new words.

The average salary of a Lexicographer is $56,128 per annum.

How do I choose where to study a literature degree?

When it comes to choosing the right college to pursue your literature degree, you will be pleased to hear that there are a lot of institutions in the United States that offer this degree program.

That being said, this can make the process of picking a college even more difficult.

If you are at a bit of a loss when it comes to choosing the right college for your educational and developmental needs, CampusReel can help you. Offering over 15,000 student-made videos detailing life at campuses all over the United States, you can find out what life at your shortlisted colleges is really like.

Sign up for a free account today and be one step closer to your dream career.