Are you one of those people who has their nose stuck in a book all the time? Maybe it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter in your career.
If you are passionate about reading, there’s good news for you—it’s possible to convert your passion into a thriving career. From editors to teachers, there are a host of jobs that are especially suited for people who enjoy reading. Here are a few:
Book Editor
If you live for books, this is one job where you actually make a living on what you read. Broadly, the job involves acquiring books for publication, and that involves a lot more than simply reading and editing raw manuscripts. Building relationships with authors and spotting new talent is also part of the job.
A book editor’s role can be further broken down into a range of specialized jobs like commissioning editor, development editor, line editor, copy editor and proofreader. You could even go on to specialize in a particular genre of books depending on your interests.
What you need: Book editors require at least a bachelor’s degree. You could be from any stream but a degree in literature can give you an advantage. Good language skills are a must.
Librarian
If you love being surrounded by books, then this is the right job for you. The main responsibility of a librarian is to help people find information. Managing the day-to-day affairs of the library, purchasing books and periodicals, cataloguing the library’s database and handling budgetary responsibilities are some of the functions that librarians must discharge.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in a subject of your choice must be backed by a master’s degree in library or information science for sustained career growth. Good interpersonal skills, listening skills and project management skills are some other necessary attributes.
Literary Agent
The job of a literary agent is to help a writer find a suitable publisher, film producer, theatre producer, etc. S/he negotiates on behalf of the author to get them a good contract. Be prepared to scan dozens of manuscripts before finding a book that you can finally back. Literary agents are generally paid a commission on the books they have sold.
What you need: While there’s no minimum qualification which is required, a few years of publishing experience is a great asset. A thorough knowledge of the book/theatre/film industry and connections with people involved is indispensible for career success.
Teachers and professors
Both school and college teaching demand copious amounts of reading and mastery over a subject; if you’re teaching at the college level, you’ll need to hit the books for continuing research and to get your work published in academic journals. Other perks include ample holidays and a chance to shape young lives.
What you need: Depending on the level you teach, you will require either a graduate or post-graduate degree for school teaching. Professors generally require a Ph.D. Teachers need to get a teaching licence to work in the UAE.
Find a teaching job here
Content Writer
The job involves reading, research and reshaping information to create persuasive and compelling content. Publishing houses, media houses, companies, industry bodies and institutions all have content writing teams; the digital boom has resulted in an increase in demand for these professionals due to the proliferation of apps and websites.
What you need: There is no minimum educational qualification but most content writers have a bachelor’s degree. Strong language skills are indispensible for the job. Domain knowledge is a great advantage.
Find a content writing job here
Journalist
Working as a journalist requires you to stay on top of latest developments by reading industry literature. You may also have to comb through mountains of information to come out with breaking stories. Perks include travelling, meeting important people and the chance to make an impact on society.
What you need: Journalism requires no minimum qualification although higher education is a great asset in this field. Most journalists have graduate degrees. Good communication skills are a must in this field.
Political Scientist
Political scientists have expertise in areas like governance, politics and international relations gained through years of studying and research. Depending on your specialization, you could be analyzing opinion polls and surveys, developing and testing political theories, monitoring and forecasting trends, etc. You could find work with government agencies, think tanks, polling survey companies or political parties.
What you need: A master’s or advanced degree in political science, public administration or a related field is necessary. Analytical skills, communication skills and intellectual curiosity are some of the attributes to help you shine in this field.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts work alongside companies to examine the potential of a product or service. They are required to scan massive amounts of data to spot trends and make forecasts. This could be in the form of numerical data or reports, books and articles. Analysts usually go on to specialize in different sectors in the later stages of their career.
What you need: You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree for entry in this sector. Senior positions may require a master’s degree. A background in analytical subjects like math, statistics and social sciences are a distinct advantage. Numeracy skills are also desirable.
Find market research analyst jobs here
Archivist
The job of an archivist is to assess if something is of value and store it away in an appropriate manner. The job entails the scrutiny of letters, documents, photographs, audio and video clips etc. Archivists work in museums, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other institutions that need to preserve their historical records.
What you need: A graduate degree in library science or archival science is a good place to start, although a degree in history or a relevant subject combined with archival training is also sufficient. Some employers insist on a master’s degree in archival science.
Translator
The Middle East is a hub of different cultures, making the job of translator particularly important. The duties of a translator go beyond simply replacing the words of one language with another to conveying the mood, tone and style of the original writing. It’s a major reason why translators are still in demand despite the proliferation of translation software.
What you need: Most translators have a graduate degree. Fluency and mastery in at least two languages is a basic criterion. Good language skills, eye for detail, time management skills and the ability to deal with confidential information are some of the other attributes you will need for a thriving career as a translator.
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