Construction has a workforce problem. The industry is aging out faster than it's bringing new talent in, and the gap between classroom education and job-site readiness has never been wider. BOND, one of New England's leading general contractors, is doing something about it — and a Mass Maritime Academy senior named Marlo Stark is proof that it's working.
Marlo doesn't have a typical college schedule. While most students are heading to lectures, she's suiting up in PPE, walking an active construction site, and handling real project responsibilities — RFIs, submittals, LEED documentation, and more. The project she's working on? The new STEM facility rising on the Mass Maritime campus. The view from her dorm window every morning? That same building, taking shape one day at a time.
We sat down with Marlo to hear about her experience, in her own words.
"My day typically begins around 7:00 a.m. on the job site. I start by greeting the team and checking emails for any updates, then jump into continuing tasks from the previous day while preparing for new priorities as they arise. A big part of my day involves walking through the STEM building to observe subcontractor work and track progress or changes since my last walkthrough. My responsibilities span a range of project needs, including handling RFIs, processing submittals, tracking labor wage rates, completing CORI checks, and maintaining LEED documentation. Each day brings a mix of tasks, so I'm able to stay involved in many different aspects of the project."
"Starting out, I didn't have much exposure to the construction side of things — I came in as somewhat of a blank canvas and had to learn a lot of industry-specific processes and terminology through hands-on experience. At the same time, the leadership and communication skills I developed in school have translated really well to the work I'm doing on site and have helped me collaborate effectively with coworkers, subcontractors, and project teams."
"I felt like a real member of the team from day one. BOND made sure of it. From the moment I stepped into the trailer, everyone was incredibly welcoming and eager to help me learn. I had at least four primary mentors who took time every day to explain processes, answer questions, and guide me through the work. That level of support made it easy to feel included and valued as part of the team, rather than just a student intern."
"It is such a unique and rewarding experience. I get to watch the building take shape every day from my dorm, then walk onto the site and be part of that progress myself. Seeing the transformation from the old labs and classrooms into new, modern spaces has been amazing — and it makes the project even more meaningful knowing I've contributed to something future students will use every day."
"Definitely. Seeing the project from both perspectives has made me appreciate the building so much more. As a student, you usually just see the finished product, but being on the construction side has shown me how much planning, coordination, and work goes into every part of it. Now when I look at the building, I don't just see a new space on campus — I think about the people, the teamwork, and everything that went into making it happen."
"Honestly, the most complex part so far has been learning the lingo and understanding the overall construction process. Before stepping into the trailer, I did not even know what an RFI was. There are so many terms, systems, and processes that people in the industry use every day, so a big part of the learning experience has been figuring out how everything works together and becoming more comfortable with the language and workflow of a job site."
"The biggest takeaway for me on site has been how important communication and coordination are to keeping a project moving. You're balancing different trades, timelines, and moving pieces at any given time. I've also learned a lot just by listening to how my supervisors communicate with different people to navigate problems, handle conflicts, and keep everyone on the same page. Being able to walk the site, have face-to-face conversations, and see how everything connects in real time has taught me far more than I could have learned in a classroom."
"I didn't always plan on going into construction — I really started considering it during my junior year of college. I've always been interested in trade and hands-on work, and one of my good friends did side jobs before eventually becoming a safety officer at Turner Construction. Hearing him talk about the construction environment, being able to walk the site, and seeing a project come together over time is what really sparked my interest in the industry."
"I would tell other Massachusetts Maritime students to keep an open mind about the construction industry, especially if you enjoy hands-on work and being in an environment where every day is different. A lot of the skills we learn at Mass Maritime — like leadership, communication, and teamwork — transfer really well into this field. Before my co-op at BOND, I didn't know much about construction, but I ended up really enjoying the environment, the people, and being able to physically see a project come together every day."
"This co-op has helped me value and appreciate the construction industry in a way I didn't expect. It's been incredible to not only watch the STEM building take shape, but to know I had a hand in that — and that it will be here on the MMA campus for years to come. Although I already have a job lined up after graduation outside of construction, this experience showed me how much I genuinely enjoy the industry, the environment, and the fast-paced nature of bringing a project like this to life. I really like that every day is different, and how much teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving go into the work. My experience with BOND has definitely made me think about finding ways to return to the industry in the future, whether that's going back to school or exploring construction-related opportunities down the line."
"BOND made me feel so special, welcomed, and included right away. From the moment I stepped into the trailer, the team made a real effort to get me involved, loop me into conversations, and make sure I understood what was happening across the project. I was able to sit in on meetings and meet every person and subcontractor who came through the trailer, which helped me understand different roles and build relationships across the project team. I also had several mentors who were always willing to answer questions, teach me new things, and help me better understand the construction process. Instead of feeling like 'just an intern,' I felt like a valued member of the team with real responsibilities and opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference. I'm incredibly grateful to the entire team at BOND for the mentorship and support they've given me throughout this entire experience."
"One thing that really surprised me about working for a large general contractor was how much coordination and communication happens behind the scenes every day. There are so many moving parts to manage — like subcontractors, schedules, documentation — and everything must be aligned for the project to run smoothly. I was also surprised by how supportive and collaborative the team environment was. Everyone was willing to answer questions, explain processes, and help me learn throughout the experience."
Marlo Stark came into her co-op describing herself as a blank canvas. She's leaving it with hands-on project experience, a network of mentors, and a genuine appreciation for an industry she never expected to love.
That's not an accident. It's the result of a deliberate investment by BOND — in mentorship, in integration, and in the belief that the best way to close the construction workforce gap is to bring emerging talent in early and treat them like professionals from day one.
For the industry at large, Marlo's story is a blueprint worth paying attention to. The next generation of construction talent is out there. They just need a trailer to step into — and a team willing to show them the ropes.
Originally reported by BOND
