Today is World Consumer Day. So, as marketers and natural consumers, today we must celebrate and recognize some of our rights!

The Law nº. 24/96, of July 31st, (Consumer Protection Law) establishes the legal framework applicable to consumer protection. In other words, we, as consumers, have the right to quality of goods and services, intended for consumption. These should be able to satisfy their intended purposes and produce the effects attributed to them, according to legally established norms or, in their absence, in a manner appropriate to the legitimate expectations of the consumer.

There is also the right to protection of economic interests, requiring consumer legal relationships the material equality of the parties involved, loyalty, and good faith in preliminaries, on formation, and even during the validity of contracts.

And what if we want to complain? The solution is simple: you can always turn to the following entities:
– Municipal Consumer Information Centers (CIAC)
– Consumer Defense Associations
– Directorate-General for Consumer
– Arbitration Centers
– Free Legal Consultation Offices of the Bar Association
– Lawyer

We hope that this article has served to inform you and alert you to the importance of recognizing your rights as a consumer and what to do when they are not fulfilled.
You have a voice and an opinion, use it!

Success is a word that many individuals believe has an objective meaning, but, in reality, it is subjective. Being successful can have completely different meanings for a diversity of people. One person may associate success with a brilliant career in a big company, while another may find success in starting their own business, independent of their professional position.

To better understand the academic and entrepreneurial journey of Diogo, were made some questions to understand what led him to have the mindset he currently possesses.

1º- What, for you, defines a successful person?

A successful person is someone who feels fulfilled with the life they have, both personally and professionally.

It's about finding the perfect balance in everything that the person thinks it is important, whether it's a certain salary, building a family, having a profitable business, having financial freedom, reaching a specific goal, or defining things that bring happiness and being able to conquer them.

2º- What was your academic journey at ISCAP like?

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be turbulent.

I entered ISCAP in the Business Communication degree. My first year was not what thought university would be. I arrived at ISCAP with my mind solely focused on studying and getting the best grades possible, I was a bookworm. I wasn't making friends, and not staying with classmates after classes, I gave up on the initiation rituals, to the point where I considered dropping out. At the end of the first year, I had two choices: either quit university and start working, or give it a second chance. I decided to give it a second chance, rejoining the initiation rituals and entering the COMAP Buddies Program. It was quite challenging to manage the time between initiation rituals, guiding international students, attending COMAP activities, and still completing all the courses through exams, but I did it!

After finishing the Buddies Program in the first semester, I was invited to join the team and became the manager of the Buddies Program. During the year, I also prepared my application for ERASMUS and I was accepted in the third year. I started the third year with incredible news, I was nominated for the next President of COMAP, something that still fills me with pride today. On the penultimate day of that week, I left for the Czech Republic on ERASMUS, undoubtedly the best experience of my life. When I returned in the second semester, I applied to Juniscap for the commercial department and I was accepted after a few weeks.

At the end of this year, I applied for a master's at ISCAP, simply because I wasn't ready to leave academic life.
I was accepted into the master's in Digital Communication Consultancy and started the first semester by restructuring COMAP into departments and appointing a new President I would become the Director of the new communication department.

Shortly after, I was appointed Director of the commercial department on the mandate renewal. A few days later, I was invited to join the recently formed P List for the AEISCAP board. After months of preparation and a highly contested campaign, we won and I became part of the communication coordination. In the second semester, I applied to A Coluna's team and also joined the design department.

Now we arrive at the 5th and final year. In COMAP, I was appointed Treasurer of the Board, in Juniscap, I was appointed External Vice President of the Board, in A Coluna, I was appointed Project Coordinator, and in AEISCAP, I continued in the design coordination after another election, and as if it wasn't enough, I applied to the International Trade Forum 2021 team and integrated its Communication team. In addition to all this, I applied to Inspiring Future and got a job contract.

I won’t lie, it was difficult to manage everything. Sometimes, I didn't achieve all the goals in the projects, but I did my best in everything, and I know I left my mark. In COMAP, I left a sustainable structure to welcome international students; in Juniscap, I made a strong contribution to becoming the 1st Junior Company of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto; in A Coluna, I and the team managed to bring relevant news to students three times a week; in AEISCAP, I continued the excellent work for students, and in the International Trade Forum, I contributed to another excellent event that adds value to the university.

But that's how five unforgettable years passed that I would repeat again in a heartbeat.

3º- Throughout your journey, what led you to participate in other activities beyond focusing only on your degree?

The main reason was differentiation in the job market. There are thousands of young people like me, with a degree in business communication and no work experience. And several thousand more who don't know what to do when it's time to work.

I entered the job market with better soft skills, with results to demonstrate my knowledge, and with valuable experience for a young person. It wasn't difficult to find an opportunity with so much story to tell.

Considering this, in my point of view extracurricular activities are extremely important, the same is applied to studying.

4º- Given our current situation, what sparked in you this entrepreneurial spirit, and what do you like most about your businesses?

The ambition to always want more and the differentiation that it can bring to my profile. I always wanted to be that young person who wanted to have his own business, thrive in it, appear on TV and in newspapers for his achievements, and inspire others to do the same.

What made me take the final step was undoubtedly the pandemic and not having anything to do. I felt helpless in the first weeks at home and knew it was an opportunity for me to test and make mistakes because I now had time to learn from it. I decided to take a risk on something I believed in, and it worked I achieved exactly what I was looking for.

What made me take the final step was undoubtedly the pandemic and not having anything to do. I felt helpless in the first weeks at home and knew it was an opportunity for me to test and make mistakes because I now had time to learn from it. I decided to take a risk on something I believed in, and it worked I achieved exactly what I was looking for.

5º- What would be your suggestions for those who still don't know or haven't found something they like and feel happy doing?

It may sound cliché, but the best suggestion is not to give up. If I had given up on the course and hadn't given myself and my abilities a second chance, I would be working in something I didn't like right now.

If you don't know what profession is right for you, try various things while you're still studying! Do internships, ask companies for visits, participate in events, and make contacts.

You can do all of that, but never forget that you have to be happy with it. You know you're in the right profession when you don't notice that the workday has already ended. You know you're on the right path when you work to live and don't live to work, feeling that is what makes a professional happy.

In any job application for a specific position in a company, the interview is one of the crucial moments to secure the desired job. It is essential to make a good impression and ensure that the interaction is relaxed and suitable for the environment so that you can stand out from other candidates.

To facilitate the preparation process for upcoming or future interviews, we present four ways that can help simplify these situations:

1. Research information about the company.When applying for a specific position in a company, it is essential to investigate important points such as its business focus, mission, and values. This information is relevant to know to stand out during the interview. 

2. Organize the CV.It is extremely important to focus on the most relevant aspects of the position you are applying for, both technically and in terms of personal skills. The interviewer will review your work history and experience, so, it is best to ensure preparation for any questions to align with the CV. 

3. Prepare for questions. Developing answers to basic questions and anticipating some less predictable ones can be the key to a successful interview. Creating hypothetical questions and answers about your professional journey, study options, and training made so far can ensure better performance. 

4. Be natural and professional. Demonstrating a natural posture without neglecting formality, adapting it to the recruiter's instructions and your personal characteristics help to show confidence. 

In conclusion, these tips can help better prepare for interviews, however, each individual can truly make a difference by demonstrating dedication and a willingness to improve their performance and contribute to the company they are applying to.