How a Degree in Literature Can Help You in the Real World

As the world embraces automation and artificial intelligence, many experts foresee a decrease in the number of tech jobs. What will replace the hundreds of thousands of tech positions created over the last few decades? Many predict that liberal arts and humanities educational paths, such as literature majors, are making a comeback. 

In the tech-driven world in which we currently live, it can be difficult to see how valuable a degree in a field like literature can be. However, literature degrees help students develop a wide range of skills that they can use in a plethora of careers. 

If you’re considering choosing a literature major, read on to discover why this could be one of the best decisions you can make.

The short answer is that if you are interested in the written word and want to work with it for the rest of your life, it’s great to pursue that passion. Still, it’s important for students to know that literature majors are about more than just fulfilling your intellectual curiosity. Literature degrees help you:

• Develop the skills that today’s employers are looking for
• Become a better, more thoughtful world citizen
• Obtain a lucrative career in a number of different fields

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an entry-level public relations specialist can expect to make upwards of $67,000. How’s that for practical application?

If you’ve taken a literature course at any point during your high school or college career, you know that engaging with literature can help sharpen your mind and skillset in multiple ways.

As a humanities, social science, or literature major, you must develop top-notch written and verbal communication skills. Not only does it build your vocabulary and fluency, but it helps you learn to interact with different ideas across a variety of subjects.

Literature majors read classic texts from different cultures. What better way to learn about the world than through the eyes of the greatest thinkers and creative writers?

Literature majors must learn how to take in massive amounts of information, synthesize it, and think critically about it from all angles. Companies in all sectors value this ability as the business world moves toward data-driven decision-making.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can do in the real world with a BA literature degree:

• Journalist: Research, investigate, analyze, and report on world news
• Copywriter: Use words to persuade people to buy products and services
• English Teacher: Transfer the skills you’ve learned to the next generation
• Publisher: Help others get their creative work out into the world
• Librarian: Help others find information and discover the joy of the written word
• PR Manager: Creatively communicate information about others to the world
• Lawyer: Take in information, think critically, and develop sound arguments
• Archivist: Acquire and evaluate the books and materials that provide value to the world

This is by no means an exhaustive list, as people with literature degrees work in a broad range of fields due to their vast skill sets.

Contrary to popular belief, having a literature degree doesn’t mean you always have your head in the clouds or your eyes on a book. Not only is earning a BA literature degree hard work, but it helps you develop practical skills you can use in just about any field. 

Whether literature majors are the wave of the future remains to be seen. However, don’t let outdated myths stop you from enjoying the real-world advantages a degree in literature can provide you right now.