What is an English Literature Degree?

In an English literature degree program, you’ll learn to see how stories connect across cultures and history, understand how social factors like race and class shape texts and use literary tools to dig deeper into books. Through writing and discussion, you'll share your findings with instructors and peers.

If you're an avid reader who enjoys uncovering hidden meaning within a story, an English literature degree could be a great way to study something you love while opening doors to an assortment of rewarding career opportunities.

Delve deeper into the allure of an English literature degree and discover how this seemingly niche field of study could be your passport to a rich, diverse and successful career.

What is an English Literature Degree For?

The primary objective of English literature programs is to immerse students in a wide variety of narratives from different periods and locations while also developing professional and life skills.

According to Dr. Christopher Lee, an associate dean of liberal arts programs (English) at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), studying literature can also enhance your research skills, reading comprehension and critical thinking — essential tools for navigating today's workplace.

Many institutions, like SNHU, offer a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in literature. This caters to students' specific interest in literature while equipping them with comprehensive English skills.

And if you've already earned your bachelor's degree, you could enroll in the master's in English program. Here, you'll dive into American, British, global and ethnic literature, explore universal themes and learn how to analyze and write about texts.

What Can You Do With an English Literature Degree?

An English literature degree is a great option if you're passionate about reading and interpreting literary works. This naturally sets you up for success as a writer and in other careers where narrative and storytelling are valued.

According to Lee, it's also a very versatile degree because of its focus on developing transferable soft skills.

"Employers recognize the value of individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively, analyze complex information and adapt to changing circumstances, and (they) desire these in employees," Lee said.

Your studies entail more than solitary reading; they can transform you into an exceptional communicator, able to articulate your thoughts and arguments cogently and convincingly — an attribute that shines in the professional world.

The program also hones practical skills such as conducting exhaustive research and managing copious amounts of information. In a data-dense world, being able to sift through and make sense of information effectively is an asset that can set you apart in various professions.

So, whether you're a bookworm or a budding professional — or both, an English literature degree can offer a solid foundation for diverse career paths.

5 Careers to Consider With an English Literature Degree

English literature graduates have many career opportunities to explore — some traditional paths that Lee noted are teaching, writing-related jobs or roles in the publishing industry.

The career pathways after earning an English degree are far-reaching and diverse. "With the skills and knowledge developed through an English degree, you can also go into public relations and advertising, law, politics and a variety of researcher positions," Lee said.

With so many different career possibilities, here are five popular jobs that pair well with an English literature degree: 

Writer

If you've studied English literature, becoming a writer may be one of the first careers that comes to mind.

It's exactly what Michelle Shreeve ’15G ’16G did after earning both her Master of Arts (MA) in English and MA in Creative Writing from SNHU online. "I did both degrees because I wanted to challenge myself as a writer and a student," she said. "I wanted to maximize my learning while at SNHU and take in every piece of knowledge that I could."

With a love for writing and a deeply personal goal of helping children through grief, she got to work on her manuscript for "Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide." In 2018, the book was published by Rowman & Littlefield, along with her other works "Coping with Parental Death: Insights and Tips for Teenagers" (2022) and "Coping with a Parent Who Overdrinks: Insights and Tips for Teenagers" (2025).

"I basically wanted to write a reference book that my family could have used when my mom died," Shreeve said. "I didn't want families to struggle like my family did after my mom died due to a lack of resources."

Whether you weave fictional worlds as a novelist, create engaging content as a blogger or craft compelling copy as a copywriter, your literary background can be a firm foundation. Working as a writer can offer flexibility, with options to join an advertising agency, work in-house for various businesses or even freelance from home.

The writing industry is expected to see a 4% increase in jobs through 2034, with a median pay of $72,270 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).*

Read more: From Aspiring to Accomplished: How to Become a Writer

Journalist and Reporter

The heart of a journalist lies in storytelling. You've been trained to understand and construct compelling narratives as an English literature student. This industry necessitates researching, analyzing, interpreting and ultimately presenting information clearly and engagingly, according to BLS.

With your understanding of diverse perspectives, themes and storytelling techniques, you can be well-prepared to uncover and present truths to the public.

Though the industry has seen some contraction in the digital age, opportunities still exist across various media outlets. The median pay for journalists and reporters was $60,280 in 2024, according to BLS.* 

Technical Writer

In a world increasingly driven by technology, the role of technical writers is growing in significance. The core skill required in this role is the ability to translate complex, technical information into language that can be easily understood by a general reader, according to BLS.

As an English literature graduate, your exposure to diverse writing styles and ability to analyze and condense complex ideas could serve you well in this field. You would use those skills to create comprehensive and clear instruction manuals, FAQ pages and other technical documentation.

According to BLS, technical writers earned a median annual wage of $91,670 in 2024.* 

Public Relations Specialist

In the realm of public relations (PR), the ability to communicate effectively and craft compelling narratives is vital, according to BLS. As an English literature graduate, your proficiency in analyzing literature, understanding themes and creating persuasive arguments positions you well for this role.

PR specialists serve as the voice of businesses or agencies, which involves writing press releases, creating strategies to boost an organization's public image, and often serving as its spokesperson. Your training in understanding different audiences can aid in targeting PR strategies effectively.

The roles in PR are expected to increase by 5% through 2034, and the median salary for this role was $69,780 in 2024, according to BLS.*

Read more: What Does a Public Relations Specialist Do?

Human Resources Specialist

As a human resources (HR) specialist, your role extends beyond routine administrative tasks. You would be responsible for nurturing the organization's culture and people. This involves interacting effectively with employees and communicating company policies, benefits and changes in a clear and impactful way.

An English literature degree equips you with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which are fundamental to this role, according to BLS.

The HR specialist role is also becoming more sought after, with a 6% increase in jobs expected through 2034, according to BLS. The median salary for this field was $72,910 in 2024, BLS reported.*

Read more: A Closer Look: What is Human Resources?

Is English Literature a Respected Degree?

Liberal arts degrees — such as English literature — allow students to pursue their passion while also acquiring a range of highly transferable skills.

From mastering reading comprehension and information synthesis to developing strong written and oral communication skills, an English literature degree polishes a set of abilities you can proudly display on your resume.

“Every professional career wants you to read something and have a comprehensive understanding of the material,” Lee said. “Those are all the things that are learned studying English.”

The tangible benefits of an English literature degree are evident, but its real value extends beyond these. Lee explained that reading literature can foster a deep understanding of cultures, people and their emotions.

Think of an English literature degree as a vehicle driving you toward a fuller understanding of the human experience and equipping you with a toolset used beyond the classroom. The skills, knowledge and empathy you cultivate are intellectual and life assets, offering a nuanced understanding of the world and an edge in building your career.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Nicholas Patterson ’22 ’25MFA is a writer based in West Michigan with several years of experience as a content creator in higher education. He’s an alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he earned both his bachelor’s in English and creative writing and his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When his head’s not in novels, you can find him outside dreaming up his own stories. Connect with him on LinkedIn.