Foto: Jeff Manalo Valencia an seinem Arbeitsplatz in Halle © INGenium EMSR GmbH
In my home country, the Republic of the Philippines, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics and then worked in the development department of a global company that manufactures printers, scanners, digital cameras, and other electronic products. My goal has always been to go abroad, as it is difficult to find a job in the Philippines that recognizes my qualifications and pays well. Originally, Canada was my intended destination, as I would not have had to learn a new language there. However, I had already started learning German A1 at the Goethe Institute in the Philippines, as this language certificate is a prerequisite for all long-term visas for Germany.
After I met my current husband online in 2019, it was clear that I would go to Germany. After we got married and found an apartment in Halle, I gradually improved my language skills. When I successfully completed German B1, I started a mini-job so that I could earn some money of my own. Among other things, I used it to buy a bicycle.
After contacting the employment agency, I continued to learn German B2 for work and then German C1. But it wasn't easy to find a job here, because I often received rejections to my applications.
It was only through a job fair, where I came into contact with the staff at Fachkraft im Fokus, that things started to move forward. In particular, being put in touch with contacts at companies helped me a lot. In order to get a job, it is important to have your professional qualifications recognized by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). This takes a while and costs quite a bit of money, but it is the most important step in getting a job as an engineer here in Germany.
Today, I work at INGenium EMSR GmbH in Halle and am very happy that my current bosses have confidence in me and my abilities and that I am an integral part of the team of planning engineers. Since 2024, I have been recognized as a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering by the Saxony-Anhalt Chamber of Engineers and immediately became a member of the chamber.
For me, my lifelong dream has come true, both professionally and privately, and anyone who really tries hard and focuses on finding a job and building a life here can do it too. My next goal is now naturalization, which is also a lengthy process, but I am very optimistic.
