Gabrielle Mesko
Anoka,MN
Summary
Dedicated museum professional with 5 years of experience working in museums and interpretive settings. Highly effective at supervising and training staff as well as program development, problem solving and communication.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Supervisor
Minnesota Historical Society
02.2021 - Current
- MNHS Location: Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post
- Supervises all interpretive programming; serves as Site Manager in the absence of the Site Manager.
- Hires, trains, and manages performance for a staff of 6 part time site guides and 1 full-time Interpreter III; mentors interpreters as they develop their programming and find their interpretive voice.
- Manages all field trip experiences; schedules interpretive staff accordingly.
- Manages stressful situations and supports staff as they encounter difficult visitors.
- Develops new and existing interpretive programs for public audiences
- Works under tight deadlines, multitasks, and changes priorities according to needs of the site.
- Plans events and workshops; coordinates with local artists to teach workshops.
- Manages group bookings, invoices and ticket sales; processes donations and memberships.
- Plants and maintains a traditional Three Sisters garden onsite
Interpreter I
Minnesota Historical Society
11.2019 - 06.2020
- MNHS Sites: Minnesota History Center, Minnesota State Capitol
- Developed new and existing programming for a diverse public audience (including public tours at the Capitol, school lessons and History A La Carte programs at History Center)
- Managed controversial or stressful situations and handled disability access.
- Used audience-centered interpretation techniques to enhance visitors' educational experience.
Park Guide
National Park Service
03.2018 - 09.2019
- Researched and wrote a 20-30 minute tour of Abraham Lincoln’s family home. Gave approximately 1800 interpretive tours to a diverse public audience of Lincoln's home.
- Developed and gave 20 minute tours of the Lincoln neighborhood to better illuminate visitors' perception of life in Springfield at Lincoln's time.
- Used audience-centered interpretation techniques to enhance visitors’ educational experience.
- Enforced site rules and expectations; responded to visitors’ inquiries about the site and other areas of local interest.
- Mentored new staff and docents in their interpretive programming.
- Opened and closed visitor center and Lincoln Home.
- Handled ticketing and staffing at the front desk.
- Collected donations from the public.
History Department Graduate Assistant
University Of Illinois
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Worked on historic research for faculty as it pertained to their various fields of study (including primary source research and organizing secondary source bibliographies).
- Promoted the department at events on and off campus.
- Coordinated volunteers for history events and projects.
- Managed UIS History Club, recruited student involvement in the organization, planned events, and raised funds.
History Department Teaching Assistant
University Of Northwestern St. Paul
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Graded numerous tests and quizzes on behalf of the professor.
- Tutored students in Western Civilization classes and individually scheduled one-on-one tutoring appointments.
- Facilitated class discussion in absence of professor.
ALPHA Center English/Grammar Tutor
University Of Northwestern St. Paul
08.2015 - 05.2017
- Tutored students in English grammar and writing skills
- Edited and proofread numerous research papers on a variety of
topics - Administered and graded tests
- Taught remedial classes to prepare students for quizzes and tests
- Managed office when staffing required
Education
Master of Arts - Public History
University of Illinois
Springfield, IL12.2019
Bachelor of Science - History
University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Saint Paul, MN05.2017
Skills
- Staff Training
- Strategic Planning
- Conflict Resolution
- Organizational Skills
- Customer Service
- Project Management
- Performance Evaluation
- Problem Solving
- Staff Development
Certification
- CPR/First Aid Training, American Heart Association, December 2023
- Certified Instructor, National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), June 2021
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation, June 2020
Timeline
Program Supervisor
Minnesota Historical Society
02.2021 - Current
Interpreter I
Minnesota Historical Society
11.2019 - 06.2020
Park Guide
National Park Service
03.2018 - 09.2019
History Department Graduate Assistant
University Of Illinois
08.2017 - 05.2019
History Department Teaching Assistant
University Of Northwestern St. Paul
08.2016 - 05.2017
ALPHA Center English/Grammar Tutor
University Of Northwestern St. Paul
08.2015 - 05.2017
Master of Arts - Public History
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science - History
University of Northwestern - St. Paul
- CPR/First Aid Training, American Heart Association, December 2023
- Certified Instructor, National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), June 2021
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation, June 2020
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