Career: Archivists
Archivists take care of papers, letters, diaries, clippings, legal documents, maps, and film, sound, and video recordings, as well as other records. These professionals combine technical expertise in the preservation of documents with knowledge of information management systems.
The tasks of archivists vary according to the type of collection they work with, be it historic manuscripts or living plants and animals. At a cultural history museum, an archivist might research and document the return of artifacts to American Indian tribes. At a zoo, an archivist might keep records on the veterinary care of animals.
Archivists care for permanent records and historically valuable documents. They may also participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Did You Know?
- Archivists work for all types of museums and organizations, including public and private art galleries, auction houses, history and culture centers, and zoos and aquariums.
Are You Ready To...?
- Protect materials
- Maintain records and databases
- Copy records into accessible, often electronic, formats
- Determine the authenticity and value of historical documents and other archival materials
- Research the historic significance of archival materials
- Find new materials and supervise their purchase and display
- Help people access archival materials
- Coordinate tours, lectures, and other educational programs
- Lift heavy record containers
It Helps to Be...
Flexible and a good communicator, since the job requires a lot of teamwork. It also helps to be organized, as you may juggle several projects at once.
Make High School Count
- Get a good foundation in history, art, and another area -- such as music or biology -- in which you might want to specialize.
- Make the most of class research assignments to build good library and online research skills.
- Run for class historian.
- Build strong computer skills.
- Volunteer with local historical societies, art galleries, museums, or zoos, and get to know the ins and outs of these places.
- Work in a library to get familiar with information management techniques.
- Visit the online exhibit hall of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Did You Know?
- Some colleges and universities offer courses in archival science as part of their history or library science major.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for archivists to grow faster than the average for all careers through 2016. That doesn't mean it will be easy to find a job. Careers in museums, zoos, and archives are very popular, and there are not enough job openings for all qualified job hunters.
The good news is that more people are visiting museums and zoos these days. And more organizations are keeping records in archives. These trends could mean that such places hire more staff. However, museums and zoos often depend on government funding, which can be cut when the economy is bad.
It should be easier to find work as an archivist if you specialize in electronic records.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that archivists earned an average yearly salary of $46,420 in 2007. In general, large museums pay better than small ones.
