The word ‘Archive’ is used to refer to a collection of records, documents, and other material of historical significance. An archivist is entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of these records. Over the years, archivists have become very important for government as well as private institutions, museums, universities, colleges, etc. If you have an interest in history and want to something different yet rewarding, this field is just right for you.
Nature of Work: An archivist has to arrange, maintain, and preserve records of significance. These professionals are also entrusted with the responsibility of preparing a database for these records so that they can be easily retrieved when needed. The work of an archivist is quite similar but yet very different from that of a librarian.
Qualities that You Need to Have: If you want to become a successful archivist, you will need to have a keen interest in history and things of historical significance. You also need to be very good at organizing and arranging things if you want to excel in this field.
Eligibility: A person aspiring for the job of an archivist must be a graduate in history or library science. Post graduation in these subjects or archival science is required if you want to apply for higher positions. There are a number of institutions in the country that offer graduate and post graduate level courses in these subjects.
Institutes Offering: Several major colleges, universities, and private institutions are offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses that can be undertaken if you want to become an archivist. A list of some such institutions is provided below for reference.
- Osmania University, Hyderabad.
- Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer.
- School of Archival Studies, New Delhi.
- Annamalai University, Chennai.
- Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram.
- Gujrat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad.
Remuneration: Remuneration in this field varies considerably depending on the size and reputation of the employer and the experience and expertise of the candidate. A new entrant into this field can expect to earn in the range of Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 9,000 per month in the initial stages. This grows in proportion to the experience of the candidate. An experienced and well-qualified person in this field can easily earn up to Rs. 30,000 per month.