Can this wall be removed—or would the building collapse? How quakeproof is this bridge? Structural questions such as these are what most fascinates civil engineer Stefanie Burri about her profession. As a project leader for above-ground structures at the engineering agency “ewp bucher dillier AG” in Lucerne, Burri advises architects and building owners on newly constructed buildings and redevelopments. For example, she recently oversaw the completion of a new residential and industrial estate near Lucerne.

Already as a child, Stefanie Burri tested every tool and material in her father’s workshop and was allowed to solder, saw and drill. Her talent for maths and science quickly became evident at school, and it thus seemed natural for her to seek an apprenticeship in a technical profession—as a metal construction designer. “My parents and those close to me always supported my ideas,” says Burri. Nonetheless, at times she felt unsure of herself in this male-dominated profession; she had no female role models to guide her. “As a woman, you stand out,” Burri says, “and you feel you must constantly do a better job than the men. I worried about making mistakes that would prompt the reaction: ‘typical woman!’”

After completing her apprenticeship and earning a federal vocational baccalaureate, she studied for a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in Lucerne. She currently holds a highly varied job, with planning and calculating in the office on the one hand, and consulting at construction sites on the other. Particularly enjoyable for her is the collaboration with professionals from a diverse range of industries: finding a design solution with the architect, optimising processes with the construction company and discussing technical details with the tradespeople.

These days, Stefanie Burri feels accepted as a woman in the world of construction: “Most professionals in the construction industry are men, but they treat their female colleagues as equals,” she says. She rarely encounters men who are surprised to meet a woman at a building site. “The important thing is to know who you are and what you can do—that’s all it takes,” says Stefanie Burri today. And she believes it is sometimes even an advantage to be a woman: “As a woman in a male-dominated environment, people tend to remember you more—and that can help generate follow-up contracts.” Nonetheless, she is convinced that it can be difficult for young women to embark on an unconventional path if they lack support and that the low percentage of women in technical professions can be a deterrent. Overcoming these hurdles demands self-confidence, and it is precisely this quality that Stefanie Burri wants to foster as a mentor for Swiss TecLadies. It is her hope that the programme will create a positive dynamic that leads more girls to choose a technical profession—because they have female role models paving the way. “Role models can help reduce fears. I want to show girls how easy it is to be a woman in the technical world.”

Text: Adrian Ritter
Photos: Felix Wey