Archivists are the guardians of information — managing historical documents, digital records, and institutional memory for governments, universities, museums, and corporations. This guide walks you through what archivists actually do day-to-day, the difference between physical and digital archiving, how to get started without a specialized degree, and the freelance path for independent archivists. You’ll also learn about digital preservation tools, metadata management, and how to market yourself to organizations that need their legacy materials organized and protected for the long term.