Primary school pupil today – engineer tomorrow?

The school visits took place in the context of the Unesco World Engineering Day on March 4, 2026. The industry association of consulting engineering companies swiss.ing supports Engineers' Day. Basler & Hofmann is also committed to promoting young talent in STEM subjects. And three of our employees, Lisa Hohmann, Dominic Hegner and Lukas Amrein, volunteered for a school visit to talk about their careers.

Water knowledge

Dominic and Lisa, both environmental engineers at Basler & Hofmann, conducted experiments on the subject of Water with primary school pupils in Stäfa. The children had fun learning about buoyancy, water pressure and surface tension. At the end, they took part in a quiz to test their knowledge of lakes and rivers, urban water management and climate change.

Building bridges in the classroom

Civil engineer Lukas stood in front of the fifth grade of an elementary school in Zurich's Schwamendingen district on Engineers' Day. "I explained to the children how you can become an engineer and what everyday things engineers are behind - for example, that we make sure people have light, electricity and water or can use computers," says Lukas.

Together with the children, Lukas built bridges - paper bridges, no less. "One girl was really excited and proud when her bridge held up and could even carry a laptop."

Lisa and Dominic: You both became environmental engineers. Why?

Lisa: Environmental Engineering and the natural water cycle are important to me. With my involvement, especially in the field of urban drainage, I want to leave behind sustainable and functioning systems for the next generation.

Dominic: I find it exciting to help shape the Environmental Engineering with technical and sustainability solutions. Seeing what you are working for, whether it is a planned Infrastructure or the joy people take in a realized project, drives me every day. I have also been fascinated by water since I was little. I find it particularly interesting to understand, influence and help shape the properties of Water. So I decided to specialize in hydraulic engineering.

Lukas, you are a civil engineer in Roads. How did that come about?

Lukas: It was a coincidence. At first I wanted to work in a hotel, but then a colleague drew my attention to an apprenticeship as a civil engineering draughtsman. After my apprenticeship, I wanted to understand even better what it takes to make things work, so I studied civil engineering.

And why roads and highways?

Lukas: I work in roads and highways because the road is a connecting element and because I can work on and coordinate many different issues along the road. This ranges from environmental issues and discussions with owners to the drainage of Roads.

For which children could an engineering career be the right choice?

Dominic: If you like to puzzle, find solutions to problems and have a passion for science, engineering is the right career for you.

Lukas: Engineering professions are varied and what we do serves many people. You have to like variety. It's a profession for people who want to know how things work. As an engineer, you can usually see and touch what you've worked for in reality at the end.

Lisa: Basically, engineering professions could suit many children, because the term "civil engineer" stands for many professions in different disciplines. What they all have in common is that they all involve solving problems. You should also have a certain amount of curiosity and enthusiasm for science and technology.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Lisa: I enjoy working with people and always appreciate new and different input. I also like the fact that every project is different and correspondingly challenging.

Lukas: I also enjoy working in a team with people and solving problems.

Dominic: As a junior project engineer, I haven't been in the job that long. I like the variety of the work and the focus on future-oriented solutions.

Thank you for your commitment!