The Road to Civil Engineering – One Woman’s Story, A Blueprint for the Next Generation of Girls in STEM
- Brainz Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Written by Veronica Hislop, Founder of Em-Powered Pens
As the founder of Em-Powered Pens, author Veronica Hislop aims to empower her readers to heal, grow, and thrive. A trained professional, she is committed to guiding her audience through a transformative journey of resilience and self-discovery, unlocking their full potential.
When I sat down to speak with civil engineer Margaret Briegmann for my video interview, Girls & Engineering: Let’s Talk, I expected a career story. What I heard instead was something far more important.
Margaret’s journey into civil engineering is a story of curiosity protected, confidence built over time, and learning how to belong in spaces not designed with women in mind. Her experience mirrors what so many girls face today, and it highlights why now is a critical moment to change how we support girls in the area of STEM.
This is not just her story. It’s a blueprint.
Why girls lose confidence in STEM
Girls don’t begin life doubting their abilities in science or math. In early childhood, their curiosity is just as strong as boys.
But somewhere between elementary school and adolescence, that curiosity often starts to fade.
Girls notice who gets called on. Whose ideas are praised. Which scientists and engineers appear in textbooks, movies, and classrooms. Over time, many internalize the message that engineering and STEM careers are not meant for them.
The cultural image of an engineer still skews male, rigid, and emotionally distant. For many girls, that stereotype quietly signals exclusion before they’ve had a chance to explore their interests fully.
Girls don’t disengage from STEM because they aren’t capable. They disengage because confidence erodes in environments that fail to reflect or support them. Without intentional intervention, this leads to fewer girls in high school physics, fewer women in engineering programs, and fewer female voices shaping the world we live in.
A childhood curiosity that was never taken away
Margaret’s story could have followed that same path, but one thing made the difference.
“I never lost interest in how things worked,” she told me. “I loved building, playing with LEGO, and exploring maps. I was lucky. No one ever told me those interests weren’t for me.”
That kind of encouragement, or even simple neutrality, matters more than we often realize.
Margaret’s experience contrasts sharply with that of many girls who begin questioning themselves not because they lack ability, but because they feel invisible. Curiosity thrives when it’s protected. When it isn’t, it slowly disappears.
Why female representation in engineering changes everything
Representation isn’t just about visibility. It’s about permission.
When girls see women designing hospitals, planning cities, leading infrastructure projects, and shaping sustainable communities, something shifts. Engineering becomes imaginable. Attainable. Human.
Margaret spoke openly about how diverse teams create better engineering outcomes. When women and underrepresented voices are included, solutions reflect real lives, not just theoretical ones.
Who better to design safer public spaces for women than women themselves? Who better to influence sustainable infrastructure than those who understand the human impact of inequity?
Inclusion is not a favor. It’s a strategy. As the world grapples with climate change and aging infrastructure, women in civil engineering are not optional. They are essential.
How one role model can change a girl’s entire future
Margaret still remembers the moment everything shifted. A science teacher introduced her to a female engineer.
“The first time I met a woman engineer, it changed everything,” she said. “I suddenly realized I could design cities one day.”
That single interaction reframed engineering from something distant and masculine into something creative and meaningful.
“That teacher changed my trajectory,” she reflected. “He helped me see engineering as a space for creativity.”
Her path wasn’t easy. University brought dismissive professors and moments of isolation in male-dominated teams. Instead of walking away, Margaret focused on learning.
“I became really good at what I did. Confidence came with competence.”
Over time, mentorship, peer support, and strong relationships helped her build a sense of belonging without losing herself. Today, she speaks candidly about how inclusive environments allow women to thrive, not just survive.
Margaret never planned to be a role model. She became one simply by staying.
How parents and educators can support girls in STEM early
The foundation for STEM confidence is laid long before college applications.
Parents, educators, and mentors shape how girls see themselves in relation to science, math, and engineering. Drawing from the Empower Your Girl in STEM Checklist, here are three powerful ways to support girls early on:
Encourage hands-on exploration: Offer opportunities to build, tinker, and problem-solve through kits, outdoor projects, or creative challenges. Curiosity builds confidence.
Actively challenge STEM stereotypes: When STEM is framed as “for boys,” counter it with real examples of women thriving in engineering and technology.
Connect girls with female mentors: Meeting women in STEM helps girls bridge the gap between interest and belief.
Margaret credits her parents with something simple yet transformative.
“They didn’t know much about engineering,” she told me, “but they never told me I couldn’t do it. That belief was enough.”
Why stories matter more than statistics
Data can inform, but stories create change.
When a girl hears a woman speak passionately about designing cities or solving structural challenges, engineering becomes relatable and alive. Stories help girls see themselves in futures they may never have imagined.
That’s why conversations like Girls & Engineering: Let’s Talk matter.
As Margaret said so simply, “We remember stories, not numbers. We remember moments that made us feel seen.”
Changing the narrative of who becomes an engineer
Margaret Briegmann’s story is part of a larger cultural shift, one that’s expanding who gets to innovate and lead.
By amplifying stories like hers, we challenge outdated systems and remind institutions that diversity is not symbolic. It’s foundational to innovation, resilience, and progress.
Girls need to see themselves reflected in the future of engineering. When they do, retention improves, creativity flourishes, and the field itself evolves.
A call to action: Watch, share, and start the conversation
Change begins with awareness, and awareness grows through shared stories.
Watch the interview. Share it. Talk about it with your daughters, students, classrooms, and colleagues. Help girls see engineering not as a foreign world, but as a language they already speak through curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
If you’re a parent, ask your child what they would build if they could redesign their city. If you’re an educator, bring stories like Margaret’s into your curriculum. If you’re an engineer, consider becoming a visible mentor.
You can watch the full interview here, because Margaret’s story isn’t just about a career in civil engineering. It’s about creating pathways.
And those pathways can lead more girls toward confident, empowered futures in the world of engineering.
Read more from Veronica Hislop
Veronica Hislop, Founder of Em-Powered Pens
Veronica is a multi-genre author focused on empowering readers to navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength. Whether guiding adults through difficult conversations, supporting men in grief, or nurturing the self-worth of young girls, her work is grounded in emotional intelligence, psychological insight, and real-world application.
