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 in Electronics and subsequently 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 where my qualifications are properly valued and the pay is good. Originally, Canada was my intended destination, since I wouldn’t have had to learn a new language there. However, I had already started learning German at the Goethe-Institut in the Philippines to reach the A1 level, as this language certificate is a requirement for all long-term visas for Germany.
However, after I met my current husband online in 2019, it became clear that I would be moving to Germany. After we got married and found an apartment in Halle, I gradually continued to improve my language skills. Once I had successfully completed German B1, I started a part-time job so that I could earn some money of my own. Among other things, I used that money to buy a bicycle.
After contacting the employment agency, I went on to learn German B2 for professional purposes and then German C1 as well. But it wasn’t easy to find a job here, because I often received rejections to my applications.
It wasn’t until I attended a job fair, where I came into contact with the staff from Fachkraft im Fokus, that things started moving forward. In particular, being put in touch with contacts at companies helped me a lot. To get a job, it’s important to have your professional certificates recognized by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). That takes a while and costs quite a bit of money, but it’s the most important step toward 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 design 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 personally, and anyone who really puts in the effort and focuses on finding a job here and building a life for themselves can do it too. My next goal is now naturalization; that, too, is a lengthy process, but I am very optimistic.
