If you’re someone who loves to read, a career where you get to indulge your love of books sounds like a dream. You might not get paid to sit around and read all day (although that is an option in some careers), but you can share your passion for reading in a variety of ways. You can explore a few different careers that are well-suited to people who love to read, even outside of academia. Of course, there are usually other skills involved too, but you’re sure to have other strengths and interests that work well for certain careers. Try these jobs if you’re someone who loves reading.
Librarian
Librarians can work in a number of different places. Some might work in community libraries or for schools, from elementary to college libraries. Other libraries and archives might be private, although they can often be accessed by the public through membership or other methods. Being a librarian isn’t all about shelving books. Many librarians today have a degree in information and library sciences because their work involves using databases and software to organize materials. There are many other things librarians might do too, from recommending books to helping to manage community services.
Publisher
Working in publishing can be tough but it’s ideal for a lot of people who like reading. Working in publishing could mean many different roles. You could be anything from an editor to a salesperson, marketing expert, or even someone who designs book covers. Whichever role you choose, you’ll be connected to book publishing in some way. Some roles will involve more manuscript reading than others, but anything that you do might allow you to get some early glimpses of new books and be involved in their production and sale. There are some great roles to explore in publishing.
Teacher
If your goal is to pass on your passion for reading to other people, becoming a teacher is a great choice. Whether you teach children or adults, you can help others learn to love reading. There are several routes into teaching, including getting a teaching degree or certification and joining Teach for America, a program that quickly gets you into teaching. You might choose to be an English teacher, but you don’t necessarily have to teach English to make reading exciting. Other subjects involve reading too, including both fiction and non-fiction.
Book Retailer
Selling books is another way to get up close with them. By working in a bookstore or a similar environment, you can spend some of your time recommending books to customers. You might get to create book displays and maybe even have some say in which books are stocked in the store. A lot of bookstores will also offer discounts to their staff, which is a great bonus for anyone who loves reading. Being passionate about what you sell can make you a great salesperson.
Your love of reading could be turned into a fantastic career. Take your passion for books and use it to find the right job.