A Conversation with our Intern, Ciara Donlan: Her View from the Construction Site
October 2025
Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.
We had the pleasure of welcoming Ciara Donlan to our team for the past six months. Ciara is from Pelham, New Hampshire, and is a Sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Management Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming as well as playing pickleball and lacrosse.
During her time with us, she was actively involved with Dartmouth College’s student housing project, attending various weekly meetings and on-site visits, and supporting reviews of the drawing sets and project schedules. Beyond that, for Biogen, she helped manage multiple coordination spreadsheets and put together deliverables regarding the building’s utility buildout and usage forecasts. In addition, she supported the Harvard University Housing team, making progress schedules, reviewing drawings, and visiting on-site. She was also helping ACC’s 840 Columbus team with various other tasks.
We took the opportunity to sit down with Ciara to gain insights into her experience as part of our Northstar team during her internship.
Tell us a little about your background.
My name is Ciara Donlan. I am a sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, studying Management Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering. I was attracted to Northstar because of my interest in project management and desire to gain real-world experience in the field.
How would you describe your co-op experience at Northstar?
My experience at Northstar was great. I worked on projects at Harvard University, Dartmouth College, ACC’s 840 Columbus, and Biogen. On all of these projects, I gained experience in different areas. At Harvard University, I learned about Passive House standards and schedule tracking. At Dartmouth, I improved my ability to read building plans, specifically mechanical drawings, which was incredibly helpful as I am considering a career in construction management or project management. I also got to sit in on owners’ meetings where I learned about how they plan their schedules. At ACC’s 840 Columbus Ave, I learned about what is considered a necessity in a dorm building versus amenities. I also gained exposure to electrical conduits and Comcast infrastructure. For our pharmaceutical client, I reviewed lease contracts and identified the important information to make our client aware of them.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned with your internship at Northstar?
One of the biggest lessons I learned at Northstar was the importance of scheduling and time management in construction. I saw how even minor delays can affect a project’s projected timeline, which taught me the value of careful planning, tracking progress, and proactively solving issues before they become bigger problems.
What was the most rewarding thing about working with the Northstar team?
Aside from volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank, the most rewarding part of my time at Northstar was how open and supportive the team was. I always felt comfortable asking questions and gained a much clearer understanding of what I was seeing on-site. That willingness to teach and guide made the experience especially meaningful, and it helped me grow my understanding of construction and project management.
What new skills and knowledge did you gain through your Northstar internship?
Through my internship, I gained a stronger understanding of Excel and how it can be applied to real projects. I created and updated the biweekly schedule for the Harvard University project, which helped me see how important organization and tracking are on active jobsites. I also used Excel to review lease properties for a pharmaceutical client, focused on pulling out key information to build a matrix. On-site at Dartmouth College, I learned a lot about mechanical systems by marking up progress in the basement. By the end of my internship, I was able to identify the purpose of different pipes. Altogether, I built both my technical skills and hands-on knowledge, which will carry into future internships and projects.
What career path are you looking to get into and why?
I am looking to pursue a career in engineering management or project management. These fields interest me because they allow me to stay closely connected to construction work while also taking on leadership and decision-making responsibilities. I’ve always been drawn to how projects come together, planning, coordinating teams, and solving problems along the way. Being in a management role within the construction or engineering industry would allow me to combine my technical knowledge with my passion for organization and leadership.
How would you describe the Northstar culture?
The Northstar team has such a welcoming and unique culture that it truly stands out. The environment is both supportive and collaborative, where everyone is encouraged to contribute and grow. There’s a strong sense of teamwork and respect, and it’s clear that the company values both personal and professional development. People genuinely enjoy coming to work because of the strong friendships they’ve built with their coworkers; it feels more like a community than just a workplace.
