What You'll Do

  • Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
  • Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
  • Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
  • Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
  • Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
  • Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
  • Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
  • Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
  • Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
  • Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Writing 3.88/5
Speaking 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.38/5
Active Learning 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Learning Strategies 2.88/5
Coordination 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Cooperation, Dependability, Analytical Thinking

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Category Flexibility 4.0/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Written Expression 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Oral Comprehension 3.75/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Adlib Information Systems Adlib Archive Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Adobe Premiere Pro Apple Final Cut Pro Archivists' Toolkit Archon Corel Paint Shop Pro Database software DiMeMa CONTENTdm Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML Encoded archival system EAD Esri ArcGIS Extensible markup language XML FileMaker Pro Gallery Systems The Museum System Geographic information system GIS systems

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.58/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.39/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.23/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 3.97/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Accessioning Archivist Archives Specialist Archives Technician (Archives Tech) Archivist Digital Archivist Digital Asset Archivist Digitization Assistant Film Archivist Image Archivist Museum Archivist Processing Archivist Project Archivist Records Manager Reference Archivist Registrar State Archivist University Archivist