Program: Museums/Education

Position Summary

This is a paid internship program for teens who want to learn about and become involved in the daily operations of the museum while interacting with visitors in a variety of ways. Students will learn entry-level interpreter work at the Minnesota History Center (Saint Paul, MN). Responsibilities include engaging, educating and entertaining visitors as well as presenting historical information to tour groups and the general public.

Qualifications

  • High School Junior or Senior
  • Organized
  • Available to work a varied schedule of weekend and weekday hours
  • Available to commit to the entire run of the program, February-August
  • Enjoy working with the general public, especially children.
  • Feel comfortable working with large groups of visitors during busy time periods.
  • Have well-developed communication skills: verbal, interpersonal, and public relation skills
  • Be friendly and courteous.
  • Be able to understand and react to the various ways that visitors, especially children, learn in a museum setting.
  • Have the ability to make visitors feel welcome and answer their questions in a pleasant manner.
  • Applicants must provide their own transportation to and from the work-site. Bus cards or parking permits are available for students working at the History Center.
  • Be prepared to critically engage with staff and gallery assistants in conversations during internship meetings and field trips.

Hours: Applicants must be willing to work one 5 hour shift on weekends in the Spring, with some Tuesday evening meetings (4-6 p.m.) AND one 5 hour shift on Tuesdays and one 5 hour shift on weekends during the Summer.

GALLERY GREETER

  • Greet and welcome visitors, handling check-in information and group orientation as needed. Consistently applies high customer service standards in interacting with visitors.
  • Answer general questions about directions, programming and the building itself for patrons of the historic site or museum
  • Provide an initial and informal opportunity for interactive learning by stationary interpretation, coordinating historic games, special programs, demonstration, activities, and other “value-added” experiences in the exhibits.
  • Performs related work as apparent or assigned.

GALLERY CART, HISTORIC GAMES, OTHER VISITOR EXPERIENCES

  • Help provide a human presence in the galleries and facilitate informal interaction between staff and visitors.
  • Provide a hands-on experience for the visitor.
  • Provide friendly security with your presence.
  • Learn and effectively present program-related material prepared by professional program staff.
  • Learn and effectively apply a variety of presentation methods and interpretive techniques so that tours and programs are presented to an individual or a group using the appropriate technique.

Other Possible Tasks

  • Researching assigned topics
  • Limited cleaning, maintenance, safety, security and other tasks as needed in support of ongoing operations

Selection Process

After an initial phone screening interview, applicants then will interview in person with the High School Gallery Assistant Selection Committee.  Gallery assistant positions are limited for this program.

Training Required

Training on the following activities will be provided to gallery assistants:

  • General information about gallery program activities, lay-out, and procedures.
  • Gallery emergency and evacuation procedures will be explained as well as how to provide guidance and assistance to visitors with special needs.
  • The various ways that visitors, especially children, respond and learn in an informal setting will be discussed.
  • The mechanics of operation will be demonstrated and practiced.
  • Introductions will be modeled and time allowed for presenters to fashion one of their own.
  • Interpretive techniques for encouraging visitor anticipation.
  • General information about gallery programs and procedures.
  • Internship meetings will introduce other museums’ styles, basic museum studies philosophies, etc.

Required Cohort Meeting Dates

Students who are accepted as interns to this program must be available for the following high school cohort meeting dates:

  • Tuesday, February 7 (Orientation, 4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • Tuesday, February 14 (4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • Tuesday, February 21 (4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • Tuesday, February 28 (4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • Tuesday, April 11 (4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • Tuesday, June 6 (4-6 p.m., History Center)
  • TBD July Field Trip*
  • TBD August Field Trip*

*Field trips are all-day events. Transportation to the appropriate sites will be provided, and details will be sent out ahead of time to participants. Parents must sign and return the Field Trip Authorization Forms in order for students to participate in this program requirement.

Benefits

This is an opportunity to gain customer service experience, learn about museums, and discuss professional career paths with your peers through a rewarding internship program.

Supervisors/Staff Resources

Bill Dinon, Joey Novacheck, Leah Juster, Rebekah Bjork, and Jean Nierenhausen