Career Overview

Archivists work in museums, zoos, colleges, universities and colleges, businesses, and other organizations. The main job of archivists is to protect and preserve important records and documents that are considered of historical value. Archivists can also organize, collect, and record photographs, videos, films, sound recordings, and other electronic information. Records are often saved on paper, film, video tape, audio tape, computer storage, and DVD’s. Records are generally activated from computer databases. Generally, an archivist will have a specialty in one specific area of history.

Education Requirements

Master’s Degree in Library Sciences or History is preferred by employers

Most employers prefer to hire archivists with at least a master’s degree in the library sciences or history with courses also in archival science. Some colleges actually offer a graduate degree in this field. This is a very competitive field, and some jobs are even requiring a doctorate degree in these same fields to get hired by top museums and similar institutions working with historical collections of great significance.

Coursework

History
Archival Sciences
Library Science
Business
Computer Science

Certifications

Archivists can obtain a voluntary certification called a Certified Archivist through the Academy of Certified Archivists. This certification requires a master’s degree and at least one year of archival experience. Candidates must also pass a written exam and occasionally renew their certification.

School Recommendations

University of Illinois
Syracuse University
University of North Carolina
Ashford University
Penn Foster College

Employment Trends

Average Salary for Archivists in 2008: $45,020
Job Availability as of May 2008: 6,300
Projected Employment in 2018: 6,700

Related Jobs

Curators
Museum Technicians
Conservators
Historians

Article Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics