10 Dream Careers for People Who Love Reading

10 Dream Careers for People Who Love Reading


Calling all bookworms!

If spending hours combing through book stores, or curling up at home with a brand new novel is your idea of a good time, your dream job might involve being surrounded by books full-time.

How is that possible, you may ask? It’s more likely than you think.

There are tons of jobs involving reading in one way or another, and the options are just as vast as books themselves. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, looking for a career change or wanting a part-time job to keep you busy while you’re studying, one of these bookworm-friendly careers could be for you.

1. Librarian

Becoming a librarian is a no-brainer for anyone who has a passion for the written word. You’re surrounded by books of every genre, author and story imaginable — right at your fingertips. 

Librarians are responsible for handling books within the library and make the call on whether to remove or add titles to its collection. They interact with customers and help fellow bookworms find what they’re looking for. Mending old and damaged books, hosting events and promoting the library are also tasks that librarians look after. 

Librarians need to have excellent research and communication skills, as well as a passion for library science. Good organisational skills are also important, since libraries are organised into categories.


What qualifications you need: To become a librarian, you need to complete a bachelor degree in library and information studies.


2. Literary agent

A literary agent is the middle person between an author and publisher. An agent pitches a writer’s work to potential publishers and discusses book deals on behalf of the author. In return, they receive a percentage of the writer’s income from advances and royalties. Literary agents manage contracts, publication, production and sales, and monitor current market trends.

An agent is critical for a writer to be considered at a publishing house, as many publishing companies won’t accept manuscripts without a representative. Literary agents also read manuscripts to decide what book and author they will take on. Some agents are general and represent all sorts of writers, whereas others prefer to specialise in a specific genre or type of book.

It is essential to have strong verbal and written communications skills as a successful literary agent. Agents need to build their network of contacts, so interpersonal skills are vital for the job. Literary agents spend lots of time negotiating book deals and contracts, so they need good concentration and attention to detail.

What qualifications you need: No qualifications are required to become a literary agent, but studying a literary major at university is beneficial. Having experience in the publishing industry is most important, along with knowledge of the publishing process.


3. Copy Editor

Copy editors are the grammar police for the media world. 

They are the ones who comb through content, proofreading and checking for grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. Copy editors also rewrite stories for readability and to match brands’ style guides. If you are meticulous with commas, full stops and spelling, being a copy editor might be the career for you.

Although copy editors are traditionally positioned at media companies such as magazines, newspapers and book publishers, they can work for companies in any industry that have content requiring editing.

Copy editors must have sharp attention to detail, excellent spelling and grammatical skills, and writing experience. They also need to have good communication skills, as liaising with authors is a key aspect of the job. Organisation is essential since copy editors often work with tight deadlines.


What qualifications you need: Although a formal qualification isn’t required to become a copy editor, a course can boost your knowledge and job prospects. There are no specific bachelor degrees for copy editing — it is usually a unit within the degree. Creative writing, literary studies, communications or journalism are useful degrees that involve editing. A journalism certificate is a natural pathway into this career. 


4. Content editor

Content editing may sound like the same job as copy editing, but the two are actually quite different. 

Content editors are responsible for researching, proofreading and publishing media content, both print and online. They fact-check articles to ensure information is accurate, analyse the structure and flow of content for readability and edit style and tone align with brand voice.

Content editors analyse and edit content writers’ work, ensuring the writers are completing their work efficiently and sticking to deadlines. It is important to have excellent communication and work efficiently in a team as a successful content editor. Strong writing and editing skills are required, along with high levels of organisation.

What qualifications you need: The minimum study requirement to become a content editor is a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or a related field. A certificate in marketing or journalism can be a great beginning pathway into this career.


5. English teacher

If you have a passion for sharing your knowledge just as much as you love reading, becoming an English teacher may be ideal for you. Educating young students about the English language and its rules is a critical part of the education system.

English is a core class at all levels of schooling — teachers can be found in primary schools, high schools and universities. Depending on how advanced and the area of English you would like to teach, you’re guaranteed to find a level you enjoy. There are different subjects of English you can specialise in, such as English language or literature.

A successful teacher communicates and explains ideas clearly and has patience. English teachers need to think both critically and creatively. Organisation and time management is vital to the role since teachers have to plan, deliver and mark students’ work on time. 

What qualifications you need: The minimum study requirement to become an English teacher is to complete a bachelor of education. There are study options for primary or secondary, depending on which age groups you’d like to teach. Alternatively, it is possible to study a different undergraduate and then complete a master’s degree of teaching, specialising in the subjects you completed in your bachelor’s.


6. Script editor

Script editing is much like copy editing but for film and television scripts. Script editors proofread and provide feedback to screenwriters’ screenplays, trying to balance the writer’s creativity with a production company’s brand values and image. 

When overviewing screenplays, the script editor communicates areas for improvement to the writer and helps them to construct and map out the narrative.

Script editors work closely with screenwriters and producers of a film or television show, analytically and critically overviewing the script to bring out its full potential. They need to have excellent communication skills and be able to work well in a team environment. Script editors also need to have extensive knowledge of cinema, television and the conventions and tropes within their show or film’s genre.

What qualifications you need: To become a script editor, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in film and television, creative writing, communications or a similar field. A journalism certificate is a great way to begin your pathway to this career.


7. Book reviewer

If you love reading and sharing your critical opinion on your latest consumption, becoming a book reviewer may be perfect for you.

You’ll get to read a vast range of books and critique them to an audience. A book reviewer may focus on a particular aspect of the text they enjoyed, such as an engaging plot or character development, or they could write a scathing review on all the elements a novel is missing.

Book reviewers can either work for publishing companies or do freelance work. Some reviewers focus on a specific subject or genre, whereas others prefer to have a more general approach.

It is essential to have strong reading, writing and comprehension skills as a successful book reviewer. Book reviewers need to be organised and manage their time well, since they often have deadlines. Critical thinking is also a must, as it is one of the primary aspects of the job.

What qualifications you need: There are no specific requirements to become a professional book reviewer, but it is strongly recommended to undergo a bachelor’s degree in literature or a related field.


8. Translator

If you are fluent in a language other than English,  becoming a literary translator could be a great career choice.The job centres on translating pieces of writing into the language you are grammatically perfect in. This includes books, reports, letters and articles.

Strong written, comprehension and listening skills are required traits of a successful translator. Translators need attention to detail, as well as the ability to communicate effectively. Time management and organisational skills are also valuable qualities to have.

What qualifications you need: Fluency in two or more languages are essential to being a translator. To become a translator, you need to take a certification test from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). 

Regarding formal education, anything from an online course to a bachelor’s degree in your target language can help boost employability. If English isn’t your first language, an EAL certificate can be used as a pathway to becoming a translator.


9. Bookseller

If you love talking about and being surrounded by books all day, a bookseller may be your ideal career. 

Whether you’re working for someone else or opening your own bookstore, selling books is a rewarding career wherein you are helping others choose books they will love. Booksellers are involved with the retail side of the book industry, using their knowledge of stock and personal favourites to recommend customers their latest read.

A bookseller’s responsibilities include ordering and displaying stock, and reviewing sales performance. Booksellers interact with customers daily, so they need to have interpersonal skills. They need to keep up-to-date with the book industry and be knowledgeable on the latest releases.

What qualifications you need: No qualifications are required to work in a bookstore. Prior retail experience is preferred, but it is not essential. If you don’t have prior retail experience or would like to refine your skills, you can undertake a retail certificate to boost your job prospects.


I love my job because I get to talk to so many people of all ages who all enjoy reading and we get to share what we love and bond over it as well.


10. Political scientist

If you’re interested in politics and enjoy reading about it, then a political scientist is a great career choice for you. 

Political scientists research political subjects such as how governments and political systems are organised, and work to resolve political problems by providing advice on how governments operate. They liaise with the media, government organisations and politicians, providing their expertise. They also write reports on their research findings.

Successful political scientists have analytical and critical-thinking skills, since research is a large part of their job. Political scientists can communicate effectively and have strong writing abilities.

What qualifications you need: You’ll need to study a degree majoring in politics, political science or international relations to become a political scientist. A political science certificate is a great pathway that can then lead onto a bachelor degree.


There is a huge variety of jobs available for those who want to turn their passion for reading into a career they know they will love. No matter where your interests lie in the book world, you can find a career that best suits you!

Whether you’re working for publishing companies or as a freelancer, there are plenty of jobs within the book industry. Having a love of reading will only allow you to enjoy your job more, so pick a career that allows you to turn your book-reading passion into an income.

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