If my strength are reading all kinds of books and painting what types of careers or industries might fit me?

Hi Jennifer,

To help you understand where you can apply your passion/interests in reading and art, I would recommend that you take a career interest and aptitude test. There are some available for free online, but if you talk to an academic advisor they may have a more in-depth test. The advantage of these tests is that they help guide people to industries and fields that balance passion and skill. It may help give you some more insight into where you want to start your career.

Keep an open mind about different careers and how you can apply your interests. I am a fellow book-lover and artist, however I work in a non-traditional artist role: reporting and analysis. This role requires that I read/research to keep up on the latest information. My artistic side helps me see patterns in the data and find creative solutions. It also helps me put together presentations and reports that look good. Taking an interest and aptitude test helped me find that I also really enjoy research/analytics in addition to reading/art, which allowed me to find a career to combine them all.

Also, I'd recommend you check out the book Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. It is a good book for finding your strengths and giving you ideas of how to apply them in a variety of fields depending on your interest. Many libraries have the book so you can read it and see how different strengths can work together in different fields. If you purchase the book, it comes with a strengths test but you can also self-identify by reading the descriptions of strengths within the book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56454.Strengths_Finder_2_0?ac=1&from_search=true

Good luck!

How about book editor? Illustrator? Professional reader, such as recording audio books?

Hi Jennifer:

You've got a great combination of interests--books and art.

You might want to check out careers in graphic design. Many graphic designers work for publishing houses, magazine publishers, newspapers, and websites, either directly or on a free lance basis. Graphic designers are needed for book and magazine cover designs, page design, as well as other posters and other associated artwork. Same with websites. So, there are opportunities for someone with your interests.

I would continue taking art classes, and be sure to include some computer graphic classes. You can major in graphic design in colleges and art schools. Graphic design can be a competitive field to break into, so be prepared to work hard, put together an art portfolio, and once you get to college, investigate some internships in graphic design to get you started.

Are you wanting to remain artistic or would you prefer a 9-5 type job? If you want to be more artistic perhaps being an author or freelance graphic artist would fit your need. If you'd like a more 9-5 a technical writer, documentation, graphic artist, or even potentially something like web design or marketing.