From France to Berlin: How Camille Hamon Found Her Professional Voice with Possible
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 13
When Camille Hamon arrived in Berlin five years ago, she brought with her an impressive background: a degree in Political Science and Law of the Sea, plus experience as a project manager in the nonprofit sector. But she also carried a challenge many migrant women know well: the language. In work environments where she was often the only non-native speaker, she felt she was not “good enough” to stand out in interviews or fully express her experience.
Today, Camille speaks with confidence and fluency, and she has turned that challenge into a strength. Frauenalia and its Possible programme played a key role in that process. This is her story of perseverance, community, and practical tools for navigating the German job market.
A strong professional start… and an invisible wall
Camille was born in France and came to Germany for a professional opportunity. Her background was solid: she had worked as a project manager in the nonprofit sector and completed higher education in a highly specialized field. But once in Berlin, she ran into a reality familiar to many migrant women:
“I worked in environments where I was often the only non-native speaker. In interviews, I felt I couldn’t really ‘sell’ myself in German or convince the person in front of me.”
Language became her biggest obstacle. Even though her German was good when she arrived, speaking in interviews, expressing complex ideas, and building confidence in professional settings were difficult. That feeling of not being enough because of her accent or fluency stayed with her for a long time.
The first step: rebuilding confidence in German
Camille’s biggest progress did not happen overnight. When she arrived in Berlin five years ago, her written German was solid, but speaking it still felt hard. Her solution was practical and focused:
Classes at the Volkshochschule (VHS) to work on specific weak spots.
Active vocabulary building for the words she needed in professional settings.
Constant practice of oral fluency, step by step.
Today Camille says proudly: “I feel comfortable speaking German.” That shift not only opened professional doors, but also gave her back her confidence in her own abilities.
Meeting Frauenalia: from isolation to community
The turning point came a few months ago, during a training session for women working in sustainable development. Another participant told her about Frauenalia. Camille attended an information session and discovered Possible, the job-support programme from Frauenalia and La Red.
What she valued most were the multi-session workshops:
“Stay Motivated”
Work-Life Balance
“It was lovely to see the same group every week and to watch how each participant applied the tips and tools from the workshops in her job search.”
What Possible gave her: tools + sisterhood
For Camille, Possible was much more than theory. It gave her:
Professionally:
Concrete tools for interviews and self-presentation.
Practical strategies to stay motivated during the job search.
Renewed confidence in her skills, beyond the language barrier.
Personally:
“During a job search, you feel very isolated. These workshops showed me that the problems I was facing were the same as those of other women. That took a huge weight off my shoulders.”
She met inspiring women with whom she could exchange experiences, fears, and solutions. That network of mutual support became a key source of energy.
“Go for it!” — Camille’s advice
If Camille could speak to a woman thinking about joining Possible, her message would be simple:
“Go for it!” “For me, taking part in this programme was truly decisive for my job search. It gave me more self-confidence, practical tools I can use in my professional life, and a very meaningful human experience with inspiring women.”
In one sentence: “Possible was a huge support during a difficult phase of my job search. Thank you, Frauenalia!”
Camille today: ready for what comes next
The Camille speaking today is not the same woman who arrived five years ago. She has turned language insecurity into strength, found practical tools for her career, and, above all, realized she is not alone. She has been working as a consultant at the Digital German Women's Archive.
And you? If you are looking for work in Germany and feel alone in the process, the next edition of Possible could be your starting point. Learn more here.
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