Here’s a brief list of what Archivists do:

• Acquisition: Identifies, acquires, and appraises archival materials, including documents, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and digital records, for preservation and access.

• Arrangement and Description: Organizes and arranges archival materials in a systematic and logical order, creating finding aids, catalogs, or inventories to facilitate discovery and access.

• Preservation and Conservation: Ensures the long-term preservation and physical care of archival materials through proper storage, handling, digitization, and conservation treatments.

• Access and Reference Services: Provides access to archival collections for researchers, scholars, and the public, assisting with inquiries, research requests, and access permissions.

• Digital Archiving: Manages and preserves digital records and born-digital materials, including digitization projects, metadata creation, and digital preservation strategies.

• Records Management: Develops and implements records retention schedules, policies, and procedures to manage and preserve organizational records in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Outreach and Education: Promotes awareness of archival collections through exhibitions, public programs, workshops, and educational outreach activities, engaging with diverse audiences.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Start with a bachelor's degree in history, library science, archival studies, anthropology, or a related field. Courses in archival management, preservation, cataloging, and research methods are valuable.

• Advanced Degree (Recommended): Pursue a master’s degree (MA or MLIS) in library science with a concentration in archival studies, or in archival studies itself. Advanced degrees provide specialized training in archival theory, preservation techniques, digital archives, and management practices.

2. Gain Experience:

• Internships and Volunteer Work: Seek internships or volunteer positions at archives, libraries, museums, historical societies, or government agencies that manage records. Practical experience is crucial for learning archival practices, handling historical materials, and using archival software.

• Entry-Level Positions: Start in entry-level positions such as archival assistant, records clerk, or library assistant to gain hands-on experience in managing collections, cataloging records, and assisting researchers.

3. Develop Specialized Skills:

• Records Management: Learn principles of records appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, and retention schedules.

• Digital Archives: Familiarize yourself with digital preservation techniques, metadata standards, and managing born-digital records.

• Preservation Techniques: Understand best practices for preserving different types of materials, including paper documents, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and electronic records.

4. Networking and Professional Development:

• Join professional organizations such as the Society of American Archivists (SAA), the International Council on Archives (ICA), or regional archival associations. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with archivists and stay updated on industry trends and practices.

• Participate in online forums, listservs, and social media groups focused on archival topics to connect with peers and exchange knowledge.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!