What Can I do with a World Literatures degree?
Career Related Events
Career Chat: Burnaby Public Library
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Explore Your Possibilities
According to Workopolis, almost one third of Canadians have 5 to 10 different jobs in one career, and one in every four has more than 10 different jobs in one career (Workopolis, 2015).Explore the list of job titles below for ideas about what you could do with your major. Remember your choice of major is not all there is to you, and organizations hire people, not majors. Some of the occupational titles reflect jobs of SFU Alumni, and others are occupations commonly associated with each major. Jobs that typically require further education are also listed. Make a list of options you are most curious about, then start exploring the possibilities.
Related to Major
Options Commonly Associated with the major
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Publisher
- Children鈥檚 Literature Writer
- Blogger
- Content Editor
- Communications Officer
- ESL Teacher
Other Possibilities
Job titles beyond the typical options
- Curriculum Specialist
- Fundraiser
- Human Resources Specialist
- Diversity and Innovation Manager
- Creative Director
- Biographer
- Social Media Marketing Coordinator
- Account Coordinator
Further Education
Possibilities with additional education or training
- TV or Radio Broadcaster
- Policy Analyst
- Videographer
- Lawyer
- Media Sales Representative
- Foreign Service Worker
- Archivist
- Historian
Fields of Work
There are myriad fields where you could find yourself following your undergraduate degree. For example:
- Arts and Culture
- Environment
- Health
- Manufacturing
- Scientific and Technical
- Telecommunications
What fields interest you? If you are uncertain, take the initiative and start exploring different fields. If your preferred fields turn out to not be what you expected, pause. Technology, climate change, automation, globalization and other factors may impact these fields and offer new or different opportunities.
The gives you an overview of all industries and their subsectors.
lets you browse careers, the education expectation, salary ranges, descriptions, and specific information about each job.
Core Skills (Major-Specific)
In the course of your undergraduate degree you鈥檒l develop a wide array of skills. While many of these skills encompass essential skills and 21st-Century skills, you鈥檒l also develop job specific skills. These are the specialized knowledge and skills you鈥檒l gain through your courses and are unique to your discipline.
Content knowledge and technical skills vary widely between occupations and are generally only used in one line of work. The type of skills that you鈥檒l need depend on the scope of the work.
You want to understand what skills you developed and the one鈥檚 you want to use, so when someone asks you about your discipline content knowledge and skills you can speak clearly and confidently about them.
Major Sepcific Skills:
- Critical thinking skills developed by evaluating literature from a range of genres and media, with respect to the complex relationship between text and context (historical, social, cultural, political, literary).
- Verbal communication skills from learned from explaining narrative concepts and strategies and engaging with different opinions and viewpoints.
- Advanced reading and writing skills to present and justify ideas compellingly, in stories and narratives.
- Comprehensive research skills acquired through choosing and employing appropriate research methods to sort information, generate new ideas, and formulate or defend a position.
- Analytical skills from reading complex texts, evaluating ideas, and formulating relevant questions to clarify a problem, topic, or issue.
- Interpersonal skills and intercultural competence developed from studying world literature through a multicultural lens, in which the student engages with different ideologies and social/cultural norms.
Foundational Skills
You鈥檒l need these skills to perform different tasks and at varying levels of complexity in education and work environments depending on the what further education you pursue and on the nature of the work. The Government of Canada and other organizations such as the World Economic Forum report that these skills are increasing in importance and are highly valued and sought after by employers.
Through each of the different events and experiences in your life (education, work, travel, hobbies and extra-curricular activities) you have developed a diverse range of these skills, probably more than you realize.
Useful Sites
Through extensive research, the Government of Canada along with other agencies have identified and validated key literacy, essential and employability skills. These skills are used in nearly every career and throughout daily life and are instrumental in helping you enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work.
- FASS CAREER EXPERIENCE
This is a go-to page for career tips, resources, and events for FASS students. In addition, check out the Career Roadmap that highlights the mindset, actions, and supports available at different stages of your degree. - JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES AND TIPS
There are many stages involved in getting the work or volunteer opportunity you want鈥擫earn more on how to develop a professional digital representation of yourself through your online presence and resume, and how you can improve your interview skills.
In addition, you can gain further information by enrolling in self-directed Canvas courses on topics such as resume and cover letter writing,interviews, and networking skills. Check out the full list of Canvas courses.
- TALK TO A CAREER EDUCATOR
Have questions about your job search and want to explore your career options? Come chat with a Career Educator from SFU Career and Volunteer Services. One-on-one appointments and drop-in sessions are available throughout the week. You can also drop by Arts Central for weekly career chats.
Get Involved
There are plenty of opportunities and different ways to get involved in activities, programs and services outside of the classroom to learn and grow. By engaging in student leadership programs, volunteering, paid work, and student clubs and groups, you鈥檒l develop new skills, make connections, and gain experience.
Explore a diverse range of inclusive events, services, and community outreach opportunities for students, staff, alumni and friends of SFU.
Explore on-campus opportunities like workshops and events, as well as volunteer and paid positions.
Want to gain experience and earn money while studying? Consider applying to the co-op program
Apply for on-campus volunteer and paid positions, participate in career and leadership development programs and workshops, and access your Co-Curricular Record.
Not-for-profit network by students for students. Find student unions, clubs and other resources and services.
Access job postings, volunteer opportunities, and register for workshops and events.
Related Professional Associations
Professional associations are a valuable resource for occupational research, work search and building connections. They may offer career information, job boards, networking, mentorship, volunteer opportunities and additional resources.
Resources
Take your career exploration one step further by doing your own research. Here are some organizations and resources to get started.