Smart Career Options for Readers

Find out how you could use your love for books in an exciting career.

By Lisa Manterfield

Are you an avid reader? Wish you could read at work?

Good news: "For people who really enjoy reading, the career possibilities are endless," says career and life coach Will Wiebe. Careers that involve research and analysis can be particularly attractive to readers, he adds.

Intrigued? Check out six careers that could be a great fit for lovers of the written word.

Career #1 - Paralegal

Readers love to research, says Wiebe, and a career in law can often involve extensive research and reading.

Research the U.S. Department of Labor's job description for paralegals and you'll see it's true. Paralegals, says the Department of Labor, typically help with many duties in a law office or department, including research.

More for readers to love: Paralegals might be asked to read up on facts or find relevant laws and articles to support a case. They might also help draft legal documents, interview clients, and maintain case files. In other words, paralegals are the kings and queens of information and reading.

Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.

Plot your career: According to the Department, there are several education options to prepare you to pursue this career. One is earning an associate's degree in paralegal studies. Already have a bachelor's degree? You can earn a certificate in paralegal studies, which may take as little as a few months to complete - depending on your schedule and program.

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Career #2 - Copywriter

Love to read? Think about copywriting for a living.

"Writing is another obvious career for someone who likes to read," says Wiebe. As a copywriter, you may be asked to write about a specific topic and will probably need to do extensive research, including interviews and plenty of reading, he adds.

More for readers to love: Copywriters also write advertisements, jingles, and slogans to help encourage consumers to buy a good or service, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which also notes that writers and authors often conduct research to get accurate information and genuine detail for their work. And as you probably know, research and reading often go hand-in-hand.

Click to Find the Right Communications Program.

Plot your career: Salaried writers generally need to hold a bachelor's degree, with many employers preferring it to be in English, journalism, or communications, according to the Department of Labor.

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Career #3 - Elementary School Teacher

Love reading and kids? As an elementary school teacher, you could put your love for both to good work.

Aside from preparing lesson plans and grading papers (both of which could involve plenty of reading), teachers must also work with students to evaluate their progress, communicate with parents, and supervise children both inside and outside the classroom, says the U.S. Department of Labor.

More for readers to love: Education is a great career for a reader, says Wiebe, because there are "gobs of reading that teachers must integrate in terms of quality teaching." Some teachers even create their own websites to expand the classroom lessons, says the Department of Labor, so this could be a great opportunity to show off your research and writing skills.

Click to Find the Right Education Program.

Plot your career: If you want to prepare to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher, keep reading. The Department says all states require you to have a bachelor's degree in elementary education, while some states may require you to major in the subject you'd like to teach. Public school teachers also need a state-issued license or certification.

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Career #4 - Public Relations Specialist

One good career option for readers who like to communicate via the written - and spoken - word: public relations specialist.

"Corporate communications are often framed around reading," says Wiebe. Public relations work, for example, can involve reading about and researching your clients and their fields, he says.

More for readers to love: As a public relations specialist, you'll often be responsible for creating and maintaining a positive public image for your clients, says the U.S. Department of Labor. This can involve creating press releases, speeches, or information for the media. And that could add up to a lot of reading and researching about what to write and say.

Click to Find the Right Communications Program.

Plot your career: You'll typically need a bachelor's degree to prepare to pursue this career, says the Department of Labor. They add that employers usually want applicants who have majored in public relations, journalism, communications, or English.

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Career #5 - Market Research Analyst

Perhaps reading facts and figures excites you more than reading histories or thrillers. If you like nothing more than rooting through information, reading reports, and gathering data, you might enjoy a career as a market research analyst.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, market research analysts positions often involve gathering information on trends, markets, and sales to help companies strategize how to promote and sell their products.

More for readers to love: Additionally, the Department of Labor notes that this career can also involve collecting information from consumers via surveys, focus groups, and polls, and compiling all the information into reports and presentations.

Click to Find the Right Business Program.

Plot your career: To prepare to pursue this career, the Department says you'll generally need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field. According to the Department, market research analysts might "have a background in business administration, one of the social sciences, or communications." You'll also need strong analytical skills and, of course, enjoy reading and researching.

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Career #6 - Librarian

If you think librarians merely browse through dusty old stacks to help patrons find the perfect book, you only have part of the story.

According to Wiebe, many corporations - like Nike and Crayola - hire librarians to help archive documents and artifacts. "Librarians need to understand the history of each item," he says, which can often mean reading and learning.

More for readers to love: Modern technology could offer even more opportunity to this age-old profession. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts the ongoing increase in electronic reading material could also bring opportunities for librarians in special libraries, such as in law or corporate libraries.

Plot your career: According to the Department of Labor, most librarian positions require a master's degree in library science or information studies. To enroll in a master's program in this field, a bachelor's degree in any area of study is a standard requirement.

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