Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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PRESTON T. MEEKER

Portage,Michigan

Summary

Aspiring professional scientist with a strong education in wildlife research, conservation strategies, and habitat analysis. Skilled in data collection and analysis, ecological assessments, and implementation of conservation plans. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving measurable results. Known for problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and leadership in collaborative projects.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Shift Manager

Culver's Restaurant #318
05.2024 - Current
  • Based on previous work ethic, was rehired by the same restaurant to be a manager
  • Oversees all facets of the store and ensures that everything runs smoothly
  • In charge of the daily schedule, counting money and making bank deposits, answering the phone, assisting customers with complaints, and helping coworkers with any and all issues

Vertebrate Collections Assistant

Michigan State Museum
10.2022 - 12.2023
  • Worked at the Smithsonian affiliated MSU Museum, which stores over 117,000 highly valuable specimens from mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, ichthyology, and vertebrate paleontology collections
  • Charged with creating a workflow for and performing a project in which 2500+ bird eggs were accurately transferred to new archival boxes, taxonomy of each bird species was updated to the modern standard, and every box was reordered within the cabinets following said standard order
  • Updated the Museum's extensive mammal taxidermy records, which included identifying animals, and their scientific names, families, and orders, habitat ranges, and conservation status
  • Responsible for the upkeep and general maintenance of the collection, as well as accurate record keeping
  • Assisted in giving tours of the collections floor
  • Trusted with maintaining security of the collections floor

Carnivores Intern

Zoo Atlanta
05.2023 - 08.2023
  • Learned the duties and responsibilities of a zookeeper under the instruction of professional zoo staff
  • Worked with: giant pandas, red pandas, African lions, sun bears, giant river otters, binturongs, fossa, Sumatran tiger, and clouded leopard
  • Accurately prepared complex diets and participated in feeding
  • Prepared daily enrichment in order to elicit natural behaviors and mental stimulation
  • Actively participated in training exercises for numerous animals
  • Positively and enthusiastically interacted with zoo guests
  • Participated in giant panda 'wild encounters,' and was responsible for narrating training sessions for guests
  • Participated in educational keeper talks, which provide animal information to guests
  • Succeeded in managing the giant/red panda routine for a full day

Volunteer

Wildside Rehabilitation & Education Center
10.2022 - 05.2023
  • Provide safe, proper, hands-on handling of injured mammals and birds in need of care
  • Mammals: bobcats, beavers, opossums, squirrels, flying squirrels, and house cats
  • Birds: red tailed hawks, owls, eagles, crows, ravens, vultures, and sandhill cranes
  • Accurately prepare meals for all animals at center
  • Administer medicine to and help heal animals that are then released back into the wild or sent to zoos across the country

Crew Member

Culver's Restaurant #318
01.2017 - 11.2021
  • Consistently demonstrated excellent work ethic and teamwork
  • Earned the respect of managers and was given ever-increasing responsibilities
  • Mastered the point-of-service computer system for order taking
  • Communicated clearly and positively with coworkers and management
  • Trained new crew members

Education

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology/Zoology

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
12.2023

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
05.2019

High School Diploma -

Portage Central High School
Portage, MI
05.2018

Skills

  • Wildlife Biology
  • Wildlife Habitat Management
  • Statistical Data Analysis
  • Scientific Writing Abilities
  • Laboratory Techniques
  • Animal Handling Abilities
  • Taxonomy Expertise
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Problem-Solving
  • Punctual and Reliable
  • Time Management
  • Excellent Communication

Timeline

Shift Manager

Culver's Restaurant #318
05.2024 - Current

Carnivores Intern

Zoo Atlanta
05.2023 - 08.2023

Vertebrate Collections Assistant

Michigan State Museum
10.2022 - 12.2023

Volunteer

Wildside Rehabilitation & Education Center
10.2022 - 05.2023

Crew Member

Culver's Restaurant #318
01.2017 - 11.2021

High School Diploma -

Portage Central High School

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology/Zoology

Michigan State University

Western Michigan University

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PRESTON T. MEEKER