From the SheEngineer256 podcast hosted by Owomugisha Sherry. We recently had the privilege of hosting Eng. Gloria Kemigisha, a structural engineer with 14 years of experience in consultancy and telecommunications infrastructure. A wife and mother of four, Gloria’s journey is one of resilience, discipline, faith, and ethical leadership in a field still largely dominated by men.
Her story is not just about engineering it is about purpose, courage, and staying the course even when the path is uncertain.
From Childhood Influence to Engineering Purpose
Gloria grew up in a home shaped by excellence. Her father was an engineer and mathematics lecturer, while her mother was a doctor. Mathematics was not optional it was a foundation.
Although she initially desired to pursue medicine, life redirected her into civil engineering. What first felt like a detour eventually became a calling. Once she was accepted into engineering school, she embraced it fully and never looked back.
Today, she proudly says she has no regrets.
Breaking In: Surviving the Internship Phase
One of the most powerful parts of Gloria’s story was how she began her career.
She started as a graduate trainee at a consultancy firm even before completing her final university submission. For nearly a month, she worked without a formal contract. When her contract eventually came, the compensation was modest mostly transport and lunch allowances.
But she made a critical decision:
She focused on learning, not earning.
According to Gloria, early-career engineers must understand that experience is currency. Companies may hesitate to invest heavily in trainees because of the learning curve, but what truly retains you is:
- Delivering work on time
- Taking initiative
- Being proactive
- Building competence
She emphasized that feedback from supervisors and contractors is what builds your professional credibility.
Women on Site: Earning Respect in Male-Dominated Spaces
As a young female engineer leading meetings and supervising construction sites, Gloria often felt the silent judgment.
Contractors would look at her and wonder:
“Does she really know what she’s doing?”
Instead of shrinking, she prepared thoroughly. She reviewed drawings, checked details, asked questions when necessary, and gave clear instructions. Over time, competence silenced doubt.
Her advice to young female engineers:
- Don’t pretend to know everything.
- Ask questions.
- Learn from contractors.
- Let your output speak for you.
Confidence grows with knowledge — and knowledge grows when ego is set aside.
Marriage, Motherhood & Engineering
Many young women fear that marriage or motherhood may end their engineering ambitions.
Gloria got married two years into her career and continued working actively on site even during pregnancy. With a supportive husband and considerate leadership at work, she was able to balance family and career.
She highlighted the importance of:
- A supportive partner
- Understanding supervisors
- Knowing your physical limits
- Taking maternity leave wisely
Her experience proves that motherhood does not automatically mean the end of a technical career but it does require planning and support systems.
Sustainability in Infrastructure: The Future of Engineering
Gloria also spoke passionately about sustainability.
She stressed that modern engineering must go beyond simply stacking bricks. Climate change demands that engineers rethink materials, energy use, and environmental impact.
Africa once built sustainably using earth, bamboo, and locally sourced materials. According to her, innovation should combine traditional wisdom with modern structural integrity.
Young engineers who specialize in sustainable design, she says, will not only build differently they will lead the future.
For Those Thinking of Quitting Engineering
One of the most refreshing moments of the conversation was Gloria’s honesty.
Engineering is not for everyone.
If you discover that your passion lies elsewhere fashion, interior design, entrepreneurship pursue it wholeheartedly. A career without passion becomes suffering.
But if you choose engineering, choose it with commitment.
Her Final Words
Gloria ended with a powerful reminder:
“Structural engineering is not about money. It’s about seeing your product stand. Be ethical. Be passionate. Protect your reputation. One mistake can collapse what took years to build.”
In a profession where lives depend on decisions, ethics is not optional it is foundational.
Why This Conversation Matters
Eng. Gloria Kemigisha’s journey reminds us that:
- Experience often starts small
- Respect is earned through competence
- Passion determines longevity
- Ethics defines legacy
For every young woman navigating engineering unsure, overwhelmed, or doubting herself her story stands as proof that resilience, faith, and continuous learning can carry you far.
And sometimes, the path you didn’t plan becomes the one you were meant to build.
Credit: SheEngineer256 YouTube
