Employee Spotlight: Q&A with Kara Aardal
Meet Kara Aardal, an adventurer, sailor, and lifelong learner from Connecticut and Massachusetts who spent her twenties exploring the world, including a year in Mongolia. After years in international development, she found a fresh purpose at the International IYRS School of Technology and Trades, where she rediscovered her passion. Now thriving at Bristol Marine, Kara embraces the challenges and joys of marine work and is excited for whatever new adventures each season brings.
1. What is your background? Where are you from? What are some of your hobbies? Any fun facts about yourself?
I grew up in CT/MA, but I’m a traveler and wanderer by nature, so I spent most of my twenties gallivanting around the planet. I lived in Colorado for a while, met my husband there, and we proceeded to gallivant together. We settled in Rhode Island six years ago and have four kids ages 11, 9, 7, and 4 as well as a dog named Slobby. In our rare moments of free time, we enjoy sailing around the Bay and scheming our next travels and adventures. Fun fact: I lived in Mongolia for just over a year and negative forty is, in fact, as cold as it sounds.
2. How/why did you get into this industry?
During COVID I studied for and earned my Captain’s License, and then I began driving the launch at the yacht club in our neighborhood. That quickly snowballed into getting certified to teach sailing through the American Sailing Association. After that, a growing desire to figure out what was next after being home with my kids full-time for some years drove me to keep following this path to see where it leads. Thus far? It’s leading to great places!
3. How has IYRS impacted your life and/or career?
IYRS marked a complete shift in my life and career. Seven years ago I left a career in International Development (specifically, reproductive health and family planning in developing countries) to be home with my kids full-time. Home full-time suited me well for a time, but ultimately I craved the next challenge, in addition to an outlet for myself. IYRS fulfilled those needs and served as a launchpad to chase both personal and professional goals.
4. What about this industry excites you the most?
No two days are the same, and for better or for worse, no two boats are the same. Each day challenges me, frustrates me, and delights me. It’s a constant learning curve, and it is different from anything I have done before.
5. Why did you choose Bristol Marine?
We visited Bristol Marine when I was a student at IYRS, and I was taken by the feel of the marina. The culture felt warm; everyone we met was kind and willing to spend an extra minute with our group; and I listened to my gut. I appreciated the diversity of the work too. Given the size of the marina, it felt like a place where I could have my hands on a whole variety of work, and I enjoyed that notion. Also, it sure seemed like they needed a female mechanic!
6. What’s coming up next for you with Bristol Marine?
I’m not sure! In the best of ways. I have enjoyed so wholeheartedly all of the opportunities to explore every aspect of the marina, and I am eager to keep on learning all that I can. The mechanical work will shift as we exit winterization season and move into winter projects, so I’m sure just when I think I’ve found my footing, the next season’s adventure will begin. I’m here for it all!
