# Explore Reading Careers

Part of the Reading Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/reading/guide/index.md)

*7. Reading for Work*

> **7.** Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in reading. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

Nearly every career uses reading, but some careers depend on it every single day. Reading is how professionals gather information, understand details, notice mistakes, explain ideas, and make decisions. This requirement asks you to notice that reading is not just a school skill. It is a work skill.

## Three careers that strongly use reading

### Librarian or library media specialist

These professionals help people find information, evaluate sources, and use collections well. They read reviews, catalog records, policies, databases, and research requests constantly.

### Editor or publisher

Editors read with purpose. They look for clarity, structure, grammar, accuracy, and audience fit. If you enjoy spotting what makes writing stronger, this path may interest you.

### Technical writer, researcher, or analyst

These jobs often involve reading dense material, turning it into clearer explanations, and making sure details stay accurate. A person who reads carefully can save time, money, and confusion for everyone else.

You could also research careers such as teacher, lawyer, journalist, grant writer, historian, archivist, policy analyst, or intelligence analyst. The key is to show how reading matters in the actual work.

**Career research questions** — Bring these answers to your counselor discussion

- [ ] **Training and education**: What classes, degree, or certifications are expected?
- [ ] **Experience**: What beginner steps help people enter the field?
- [ ] **Expenses**: What does training or college usually cost?
- [ ] **Prospects**: Is the field growing, stable, or competitive?
- [ ] **Pay and advancement**: What might an entry-level worker earn, and what comes next?

> **Tip**
>
> The strongest counselor discussion usually compares the job to your own interests. Do not just report facts. Explain whether the daily reading work sounds interesting to you and why.

[U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/): A reliable source for job outlook, pay, training, and career descriptions across many fields that use strong reading skills.

[American Library Association](https://www.ala.org/): Learn more about library careers, advocacy, and the many roles libraries play in communities.

[Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/): Explore an institution where reading, research, preservation, and public access all come together.

Reading can take you into stories, service, and careers — and this badge only scratches the surface. The Extended Learning page points to a few strong next steps if you want to keep going.

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- Previous: [Lead a Book Drive](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/reading/guide/req6e/index.md)
- Next: [Extended Learning](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/reading/guide/extended-learning/index.md)