More Than A Spouse: Holly Trisch’s Story of Resilience, Innovation, and Education
When asked what skill she is most proud of as a military spouse, Holly Trisch answers without hesitation: adaptability. In 15 years of marriage and four PCS moves, she has learned how to pivot with each new season, reshaping her career, her community, and even her sense of self along the way.
“I’ve learned to see challenges as opportunities to grow,” Holly reflects. “Every move has pushed me to reinvent myself and approach uncertainty with creativity and confidence.”
A Career Built on Resilience
That mindset has carried her through a unique career path that blends engineering, education, and entrepreneurship. Holly is a licensed professional civil engineer with more than six years of experience in roadway design, pavement systems, and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
This past spring, she earned her PhD in Engineering Education, where her research explored how K–12 educators and social capital shape students’ pathways into STEM.
Still, military life has presented real challenges. “For spouses, the hardest part isn’t maintaining a career, it’s starting one,” Holly explains. “Too often we don’t know about the resources available to us. Add in childcare hurdles and unpredictable schedules and taking that first step can feel impossible.”
Creating Her Own Path
Rather than letting those barriers define her, Holly built something of her own. She launched Roots in Engineering Consulting LLC, a company dedicated to helping elementary school teachers bring engineering concepts into their classrooms. Her long-term dream is to partner with DoDEA schools so military children can benefit from hands-on opportunities that spark curiosity and confidence in STEM.
Her passion for education has also inspired her next project: a children’s picture book that introduces civil engineering in an engaging, age-appropriate way. By combining her technical background with creativity, Holly hopes to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.
More Than a Spouse
If she could send one message to employers, it would be that military spouses are not a risk but an opportunity. “We are some of the most thankful, dedicated, and determined employees you’ll ever meet,” she says. “We know how to juggle responsibilities, organize complex moves, and thrive under pressure. All we need is the chance to prove it.”
For Holly, being more than a spouse means embracing every pivot as a possibility. She is a civil engineer, researcher, entrepreneur, and aspiring author, but above all she is a builder of pathways, creating opportunities not only for herself but also for children, educators, and other spouses who will follow.
For any spouse wondering if it is possible to build a meaningful career while navigating military life, Holly’s story is proof that it can be done. The path may shift, stall, or even take an unexpected turn, but it can still lead to something deeply rewarding.
Are you ready to inspire other military spouses? Submit your More Than a Spouse story for a chance to be featured and help others find encouragement and strength in your journey!
By: Olivia Brinsfield, Content Manager
