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Don’t Become One of the 61%: How to Avoid Costly Security Slips with SIEM

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Did you know that the cost of cybercrime for businesses is increasing? Despite technology being more advanced and available than ever before, 2017 saw a 27.4% net increase in the average annual number of security breaches. After surveying more than 2,000 people from 254 companies in seven countries, a report from the Ponemon Institute and Accenture not only identified a sharp increase in breaches, but cost. Although the headline figures are based on data breaches for major corporations, the fact an average malware attack now costs $2.4 million should make for sobering reading if you’re a business owner. The take-home point from the 2017 study is that cybercrime is costly and that anyone with a presence online should be doing their best to protect their services.

Attacks Are a Way of Life Online

As we’ve noted, the technology is there to help. However, not all business owners are taking advantage of it. As per a 2015 study by Quocirca, just 39% of companies surveyed had DDoS protection in place. While that figure is higher than it’s been in previous years, it still means that more than 60% of businesses aren’t properly safeguarding their servers from one of the most common attacks online. What does “common” mean in the context of today’s online ecosystem? Well, according to Alberto Dainotti, a research scientist at CAIDA, the average number of daily attacks between 2015 and 2017 was 30,000. Essentially, if we’re going to be candid, cybercrime is an ever-present and expensive threat if you’re active online.

Becoming one of the 39% is, in reality, a lot easier than many would expect. As well as cloud services making security software more accessible and efficient, it also allows for integrated systems that offer a complete management package. In other words, you can now deploy a one-stop-shop system that consolidates your security assets and makes it easier to detect incoming threats. The technical term for this type of software is Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). Basically, a set of tools that provide a holistic overview of your information security, SIEM is split into two main parts. In the first instance, security information management (SIM) collects vital data from your network by extracting it from log files.

Real-Time Detection and Analysis

This data can then be used to create reports on potential security threats. These threats are then stored in a database to help the second part of the system, security event management (SEM) tools, perform their function. In simple terms, SEM is a real-time monitoring tool that uses rules and triggers (i.e. security information) to identify a threat. What’s interesting about this software is that it also has the ability to establish correlations between seemingly separate events. The end result is a complete overview of a security risk. Because attacks often come from multiple sources, a holistic approach is the best way to tackle the issue. Indeed, by carrying out the analysis and then sending a message to the security team, threats can be eliminated before they can shut down a network and cause real damage.

Away from the technical aspects of SIEM software, the fact you can use a selection of tools to effectively manage your whole system is perfect for small business owners. As the data suggests, most CEOs either don’t know or don’t care enough about security to delve into the details. SIEM is the perfect solution because it manages the vital processes and provides a complete security solution.

5 Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your Headphones

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Music is a universal language that is enjoyed by the vast majority of the human race. We experience music in a wide variety of ways, ranging from the dynamic energy of a live performance to a quiet listening session alone in our home.

There may not be much that you can do to modify the sound you are receiving from your orchestra seat, but the same is not true for your at-home listening experience. Technology has advanced to the point where you can obtain incredibly rich and accurate depictions of sound from a high-end home hi-fi system.

Despite your best intentions and impeccable musical taste, there will be times when sharing your music with others will be discouraged, perhaps by the lateness of the hour. On these occasions, the music lover can resort to the aural solitude that can be found in the use of a nice set of quality headphones.

Headphones allow us to exert absolute control over our audio-environment, and allow us to privatize our public spaces. But when you reach for your headphones you realize that these particular ones don’t afford you the control that you would like. Here are 5 reasons why you might think it’s time that your headphones get an upgrade.

You Are Using Stock Headphones

If you are listening to music on the headphones or earbuds that came with your phone or mobile device you definitely need to consider an upgrade as soon as possible. These inexpensive models are provided by device manufacturers as an introductory means of using their equipment. They provide barely adequate sound quality and are not made to be a durable or long-lasting headphone option.

It makes sense, as the purpose of these headphones are to allow you to make a call or hear the audio on a YouTube video. Neither demands particularly high sound quality to get their point across. On the other hand, when you want to relax and listen to your music, they just don’t cut it. Time to get something that treats your tunes a little better.

You Desire Better Sound Quality

This can be your reason for upgrading no matter how good your current set of headphones performs. There is always room for improvement and as technological advances are made new and better products are produced. The true audiophile owes it to themselves to keep an eye open for new and enhanced ways to experience their music.

If you’re not there yet you can certainly consider professional grade headphones  that will require a dedicated amplifier. This will open you up to a whole new dimension of sound quality. Perhaps you want to add noise cancelling technology, or reduce the distortion you are experiencing.

Another direction to explore in your quest for perfect sound is the combination of a high-end set of headphones paired with quality audio cables. The flexibility in sound quality afforded by this type of configuration allows you to create a sound suited to your specific taste.

Your Current Headphones are Uncomfortable

No matter what style of headphones you use, if you wear them for any length of time they need to be comfortable. Comfort can mean quality ear pads and cushions, or an ergonomically designed in-ear model. Over-ear headphones need to have a well-engineered headband. Using headphones that are not comfortable can lead to headaches and at best, a poor listening experience.

It might be worth your time to investigate some of the different options you have for private listening. Very high-quality sound can be produced by a variety of headphone styles that offer choices to suit your lifestyle and listening habits.

Your Friend Sat on Your Headphones

It really doesn’t matter who suggested to break out the Scotch. It happened and next thing its three hours later and you are debating which solo on Miles Davis’ Flamenco Sketches is better and before you know it, there it is. Two halves of a set of headphones, definitely an ugly sight. There’s always duct tape.

But wait. Your friend turns out to be more honorable than you thought and offers to pay for the damage. You consider if this will negatively impact your friendship and decide it will not. You ask Google to get you a price on a new set and get some cash as your friend leaves.

Perfect time to upgrade! Using the old set as a starting point now is your chance to take a step up without it hurting too much. Look at it as a fortuitous episode that is getting you twice the sound at half the price. Something like that.

You Finally Discovered Classical Music

All right, that might be an overstatement. You always knew that it existed. You had heard of Mozart and Bach and knew that symphonies were long and used a lot of instruments. But then one day someone turned you on to something truly exquisite and from that day on you were hooked. And according to the BBC, listening to some classical music daily can improve the quality of your life.

Maybe it was the late string quartets of Beethoven, some of the most sublime music ever composed, that touched your soul. Or perhaps it was an aria in a Verdi opera that brought tears to your eyes. Regardless of the piece of music, you were intrigued to the point where you want to experience that music in as full a sense as possible.

Here is where the high-quality headphones that you are going to obtain when you upgrade will make a real difference in your appreciation of the music. The right set will bring you so close to the music that you will feel the strings of the cello vibrating as the final notes fade out. Close your eyes and drift into the ether.

Conclusion

These are just some of the reasons that you might want to upgrade your headphones. Face it, no reason that you can think of is a bad reason. If it makes sense to you, then go get yourself something nice to heighten your appreciation of the magnificent art of music.

The Best Ways To Reduce High Blood Pressure At Work

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Over 100 million Americans have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. To put that into perspective, this is almost half of all of the adults in the US. High blood pressure was a contributing factor in the deaths of over 360,000 Americans in 2013. Worldwide, high blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths.

Those are scary statistics if you are an American adult. Heart disease has increased over the last few decades, and a large factor in this is our working lives. You should therefore focus on this area if you want to reduce high blood pressure. Luckily, there are several ways of fighting high blood pressure in the workplace.

Use every opportunity to be active

A huge factor in the increase in blood pressure of the US workforce is the more sedentary manner of work that we are doing. In the past, when more people did manual labor jobs in factories or in farming, exercise was a part of work. Now, we spend eight hours in front of a screen, sitting in a chair, not really moving. This means that you have to stay active in other ways.

If you take the bus to work, then try getting off a stop earlier and walking at a brisk pace to really get your heart rate going before and after work. Choose the stairs instead of the elevator and climb your way to a lower blood pressure. On your lunch break, go for a run or do some star jumps in the office. You don’t have to miss out on lunch – even a 15-minute burst of exercise will be beneficial in the long term. Throughout the day, get up for short walks around the office to stretch your legs, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Eat healthier

Another leading cause of high blood pressure is poor diet. A diet that is high in salt and low in fruit and vegetables will have a poor effect on your blood pressure. Eating lots of sugar will increase your weight, which will also negatively impact your blood pressure. Making and bringing in your own healthy lunch is the key here – brown bread, salad, lentils, pasta and brown rice are all great staples of healthy lunches that don’t leave you feeling hungry for more.

Stay away from the vending machine snacks, and bring your own healthy snacks. Fresh and dried fruit and nuts are a great way of getting energy without relying on sugar or lots of carbs. Baked or vegetable chips are good alternatives to a bag of salty and fatty normal potato chips. Finally, resist that colleague who brings in baked goodies every Friday – nothing good will come of that brownie.

Reduce stress

Stress is another factor that affects your health. High stress will increase your blood pressure in the short term, and sustained stress will affect your body in ways that will increase your blood pressure in the long term. One way to reduce stress at work is to make sure that you take a bit of personal time every so often. Step away from the computer and out of the office to recharge and forget about work for a bit. Buy a stress-relief toy and go to town on it whenever you feel a bit stressed. Yoga or meditation during the day can also have a significant impact on your mental wellbeing.

Go to a juice bar on your socials

Alcohol is another leading factor in blood pressure. However, at some workplaces, going out for lunch drinks or after-work drinks is a huge part of the culture. You could just go along to the bar and order soda, but being in that environment is going to make it less fun and more tempting for you to order a beer or cocktail. Instead, you could suggest that everyone tries out that new juice bar down the block. In a juice bar environment, there won’t be pressure to drink alcohol because you can’t drink it. Besides, no one ever gets any work done after a lunchtime beer.

Conclusion

If you are worried about your blood pressure, then you can get a direct to consumer and professional blood test to take a look at your blood. These tests can reveal a lot about your blood, including other issues related to blood pressure.

Think about your diet, how active you are and what causes you stress at work – is there anything obvious that you can change? Sometimes, it’s easier said than done, but even making one of these changes can make a really positive impact on your blood pressure and your life.

5 Ways To Get Your Company Noticed Online

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When you are looking to become a successful online business, you will need to get yourself noticed. The chances of it happening organically are about as likely as losing weight by sitting around and hoping for the best. You’ll need to take action and probably invest in the help of some experts in the field of what you are doing. Have a look at these five ways to get your company noticed online.

 

Target Market

You could walk out into a crowd of five-hundred people and ask them all to try your new lipstick, or whatever it is that you are selling. If that crowd is 50% males and 10% kids, then you are probably wasting 60% of your time and resources to make a sale. Simply identifying who is most likely interested in your product is going to make you more likely to succeed. Get to know your target market and identify where they are, if you are not an expert in this field, you may want to seek some help.

Go Big or Go Home

Utilise some of the biggest markets in the world. Companies like Facebook or Instagram know their businesses and know how to get the masses interested in your ad and what you are offering. Working with these big businesses will help get you in touch with the people who are most likely to be interested in what you’ve got. Big business didn’t get big by mistake.

Banner Ads

Showcasing products on your own site is great, as long as you have enough traffic coming and going to notice what you are selling. Firstly, you are probably going to have to bait them into coming to check you out before you can get them to see what your full product line is though. Showcasing banner ads on various platforms is a great way to give a snapshot of what you have, and then follow up with the full line.

The Right Team

Experienced experts in highlighting business online are sure to be your best allies when you want to get noticed. They have the industry experience to know what to focus on and where your efforts are most likely to be seen. Leverage the use of people in the field with years of knowledge and you are sure to increase your chances of being seen.

Clickable Content

One of the most effective ways to get noticed is with pay per click advertising. It helps to reduce high advertising plans by only making you pay when someone actually clicks on an ad you are showcasing. Be sure to use a quality PPC company when you are you want to get the most value for your money.

The world of online sales and advertising can be tough to navigate, why not have someone leading your marketing plan that has a successful base in the business. Why not go with someone like Broadplace.com and get the immediate results you are looking for.

 

Six Reasons To Quit That Bad Habit

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Everyone has a bad habit, whether it be biting their nails or something more serious like smoking, and most people come to a time in their lives where they want to quit, but they may need a bit help and support. For some people, it looks like their friends saying, “Hey, you’re biting your nails again, stop.”, but for others, it looks like treatment programs and major lifestyle changes. Here the focus will be on bigger addictions that might take a little bit more to overcome. Now the question is: why do they want to overcome these addictions? Here are six reasons to quit that bad habit.


No more “walks of shame”.

Anyone who has a major bad habit has their own walk of shame whether it be picking up cigarettes or staggering home drunk. For a lot of people, this is the worst part of their addiction, and they’d be more than happy to have this disappear forever. Quitting the habit will take care of that. One doesn’t have to do this walk of shame anymore; it can save a lot of pride, and pride is an important thing in life. So is self-image, so if the walk of shame is gone and self-image is restored, the overall quality of life will be better, and that’s something that is worth the work.

One can save money.

Saving money is another important aspect. Money is another important thing in life, and while money can’t buy happiness, it can take away stress. More money and less stress are two reasons why one should consider quitting their bad habit. Cigarettes or alcohol or drugs can burn a hole in your pocket in the long run and having that extra saved money can help one start a new hobby. 

One may be healthier.

There are a lot of health risks that come with habits like this. When one gives up the bad habit, they give up some pretty major health risks. A longer and better life may be in store once one takes the first steps of breaking the habit.

Relationships will improve.

There’s probably more than one person in one’s life who doesn’t approve of those habits and once the habits are gone the relationships may improve markedly with those people. Especially if those people are close friends or family, it may be worth it.

It can be doable.

Stopping an addiction can be easier than one would think with the right tools. There’s everything from self-help books to twelve-step programs or quitting alcohol through an Allen Carr program. It still takes a lot of work, but it is more doable than people realise.

One will have more free time.

Now there’s a lot more free time, so what does one do with it? There’s a handful of hobbies that one can consider getting involved in from sports to music to crafts. With all the new free time the world is at one’s fingertips–time to explore!

How To Create A Finance Plan For The Unexpected

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Life has a good way of throwing financial curveballs when we’re least prepared for them. From expensive car repairs to being laid off unexpectedly, there are all sorts of life events that can happen that can quickly leave you in a financial bind. To ensure that you’re prepared for anything that may come your way, it’s good to know how to prepare for the unexpected.

Here’s what you need to know about creating a finance plan to help during those moments in life that no one ever thinks will happen to them.

Have an Emergency Fund

One of the best things you can do to prepare for the unexpected is to have an emergency fund. This fund should cover your living expenses for at least three months, though saving six months of expenses is even better. In the event that you lose your job, are injured, or for some reason are unable to make your normal income, you have money to fall back on.

While emergency funds are often used for worst case scenarios, they’re also helpful for those times when your car decides to stop running or the HVAC in your home has reached its end of life. In these situations, most people would have to drain their checking account or run up a credit card in order to cover the expenses.

With a well-stocked emergency fund, you have access to money that you can use in the event of any expensive situation. In turn, there’s much less of a financial impact.

Get Into the Habit of Saving

There’s nothing worse than having to cut costs because of an unexpected financial issue. Instead of waiting to save until you don’t have a choice, make saving something that you do on a regular basis. Be sure to set aside money from each paycheck into a savings account. This is separate from an emergency fund but should be for more long-term costs, like saving up for a car or purchasing your first home.

The earlier you save, the easier it becomes. Saving as soon as you start receiving a steady paycheck allows you to effortlessly put money aside. By saving $100 each paycheck (assuming a bi-weekly pay schedule), you could end up saving at least $2,600 in a year!

A savings account not only acts as a financial cushion but is beneficial for helping you achieve your financial goals.

Make Your Money Go Farther

You only make so much money each month, so wouldn’t it be nice to stretch every dollar to get the most out of your money? Knowing how to cut costs without impacting your standard of living is key to achieving financial security and planning for the unexpected. For example, if you’re like most people, you pay a provider for Internet, cable, and phone services. But did you know that by bundling these services, you can often be given a lower rate? Using the same provider for home services is an effective and nonintrusive way to save money without impacting your life.

Other ways to make your money go farther include:

  • Cooking meals at home
  • Enjoying free entertainment
  • Driving less, walking more
  • Consolidate loans
  • Use coupons

The less you spend, the more money you have available to save or to use towards something you really want to purchase. You can also work on safely investing your money to help it grow as well.

Get Insurance Coverage

Though many find it to be a scam, insurance coverage can come in handy, especially during those unexpected life events when we need a little help. With the right insurance coverage, you’re able to offset a lot of costs.

Maybe you’re interested in weight-loss surgery like Contrave, but can’t afford the out-of-pocket Contrave price. Maybe your pet has gotten sick recently and the vet bills are piling up. By having health insurance or pet insurance in the event that you have a pet, you don’t have to worry about paying the full cost.

Other forms of insurance to consider include life insurance and car insurance. Life insurance is beneficial in the event that you die and leave debt behind. With this coverage, your family members aren’t burdened with your debt.

Car insurance is truly a no-brainer. If you own a car, having insurance covers you and other drivers on the road in the event of an accident. While you may never be in an accident, it’s better to have coverage and not need it than have an accident and not be covered.

Conclusion

Planning for the unexpected may seem silly on the surface, but you’ll be glad you took the time to save in the event of a life emergency. With these tips, you can have the peace of mind that you’re financially prepared for anything that life may throw your way.

Benefits Of Owning Property Abroad

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Owning property abroad in a foreign country can seem like a far-fetched idea for some people, but in reality, it’s a good investment opportunity. Increasingly, people in the U.S. are sending money to countries in Central and South America like Nicaragua, Belize and Costa Rica, as well as throughout the world, to secure property.

Purchasing property in a foreign country can include buying something like a condo in a resort community, a single-family home, or buying a piece of land.

So what are the benefits of owning property abroad?

Affordability

In most places around the world (with some exceptions of course) buying property overseas and in international markets is going to be a more affordable opportunity than buying in the U.S.

A lot of this does depend on things like changes in currency, and the local market, but by and large, it is going to be a more affordable way to invest in real estate, particularly desirable real estate like beach property, as opposed to buying in the U.S.

Diversification

When talking about investing, diversification is the primary objective of almost everyone. Diversification can provide investors with better returns and can protect them against certain downsides.

What better way is there to diversify than to purchase real property in another country? You’re buying an actual physical investment in a different country, which in and of itself is a good reason to buy abroad.

Income

When you purchase certain types of international properties, you can leverage them as a way to earn an income stream.

For example, if you purchase a beach property in Costa Rica, you can then rent it out and have that money coming in. When you are buying an international property, think about what’s going to make the most sense if you do ultimately want to rent it out. For example, two-bedroom condos tend to be the most appealing for vacation renters.

Think about the other considerations that will be important to most renters as well, such as location, security, and amenities. You may pay a little more for certain features, but that can more than be made up with the rental income.

Tax Benefits

There are certain tax advantages to owning international property, and they can vary depending on the specifics of the circumstances. One possible advantage is that when someone in the U.S. owns an overseas property, they can include travel costs as a deduction.

Also, if someone faces a lawsuit in the U.S., it can be much more difficult to bring overseas assets and properties into the equation.

Finally, if you purchase international property, you also have the opportunity to enjoy it. You can visit while you’re still in your working years and learn the local language, and be part of the culture in a much deeper way than you would be if you just visited for a week.

You then have that property ready and waiting when it’s time to retire, and you’re already comfortable with the location. It’s a great way to start preparing for your retirement while simultaneously having an income stream, a diversified investment portfolio, and the potential for certain tax advantages.

Would Your Business Benefit From A Security Camera System

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There are many reasons to install a video surveillance system in your business or organisation:

  • Increase security and reduce expenses.
  • It reduces the expenses related to security and repairs, often replacing the need for physical security (guards) or doing the same function more effectively.
  • It is a powerful deterrent system; the presence of cameras intimidates intruders and vandals.
  • Eliminates many usual dangers, theft from people, the destruction and theft of vehicles or property in garages and storage rooms, etc.
  • Reduces the cost of repairs. No more painting over graffiti on walls.

How does it work?

As Oxford security services experts explain, modern video surveillance is capable of simultaneously monitoring and recording with DVD image quality, while allowing, if desired, remote control from an alarm centre.

Systems are typically designed to easily manage from 1 to 16 video channels through strict security measures that guarantee the privacy and security of those within the building or areas covered.

Monitoring

It allows the visualisation, in real time, on multiple screens, with drop-down menus, through simply clicking on the screen. Such systems also make possible the following:

  • Automatic or manual adjustment of the image quality per camera; important for a more efficient management of the capacity and duration of the recordings.
  • On-screen or audible alarms for activation of motion sensors. An effective warning system that alerts the caretakers of any movement of people or vehicles that occur in the building. Without needing to be permanently observing the screens, the cameras will warn you.
  • Automatic window by movement. Know at each moment which cameras are capturing movement.
  • Automatic shutdown and restoration due to electrical failures to prevent equipment damage.

Recording

Password for access to recordings. Only those persons authorised by the person in charge may access the recorded images.

Recording calendars programmable by cameras. This occupies less space and can therefore store more recording time.

Real-time recording capacity of all cameras in continuous recording, or by motion detection or by event or alarm. Technicians can programme the system based on your needs.

Quick search of recordings through event, motion detection, map or search calendar (date and time) makes it very easy to find the recording you need.

Remote monitoring

All equipment is connected to an alarm centre for the realisation of verification of alarms, and some models may be connected to mobile or PDA devices.

Cameras

There is a wide range of cameras available for installation. These also include cameras with independent components instead of the compact cameras (which integrate electronics, optics and support in a single element).

Due to the greater durability of independent components, any faults that occur will only require independent components to be replaced without having to change the entire camera unit.

Isn’t it time your business benefited from such flexibility and convenience in security?

Some Top Factors To Think About When Buying Dried Fruit For Your Food Business Or Establishment

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 Dried fruit has been around for centuries, as the art of preserving certain fruit was a good way to make sure that people were still able to enjoy fruit even in the colder seasons. By drying fruit, water was removed, and this prevented microbes in the fruit from growing. Drying fruit under the sun is still the most common way of preserving it, although other methods, such as forced drying in dehydrators, is also being used today. If you’re thinking of purchasing dried fruit for your food business or food establishment, there are some considerations and factors you need to think about. Let’s find out what these are so you can choose the best dried fruit for your needs.

The available fruit

Not all fruit is dried, but a lot of fruit can be dried. This includes apples, blueberries, apricots, cranberries, figs, dates, grapes (which can result in dried grape variations such as sultanas, currants, and the ever-popular raisins), papayas, mangoes, plums (which results in prunes), and pineapples. These are only the most common and popular ones, however, and more fruits are being experimented on as innovations come up.

The specifications of dried fruits

Most dried fruit can be 100% fruit, which means that they contain no additives. But there are other dried fruits which can be comprised of only 61% fruit. Additives such as sulphites may be added to the dried fruit so their flavour can be retained. Sulphites are also effective at retaining the colour of the fruit, preventing the fruit from browning. Be careful, however – some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to sulphites, so if you are serving dried fruit or producing dried fruit products, sulphites should be added to the list of ingredients. Sulphites can often be found in fruits such as dried mangoes, apples, pineapples, and apricots. Another additive or preservative, which is potassium sorbate, is usually found in prunes and dried figs, although most individuals aren’t allergic or sensitive to it.

Other additions

Sometimes, a small quantity of oil is added to various dried fruit, which includes raisins, dates, and cranberries. The oil can help with the preservation of the fruit’s flavour and may also prevent each piece from sticking together. The oil doesn’t really make a big difference when it comes to adding fat to the fruit, and most individuals don’t have any problem with it either.

When you are choosing dried fruit for your business, make sure to get it from a good wholesale dried fruit supplier. A good supplier will be able to offer traceability and transparency – which means that they can tell you exactly where the fruit is coming from and how it is produced. It’s better to go for quality every time.

Top Tips for Student Internships Abroad

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Completing student internships abroad is a fantastic way to really get the most out of your degree. Internships are often a requirement of the degree of self, teaching you to cope with the job load involved in your field of study. Completing those abroad allows you to not just put into practice all the things you learn but also to gain a more international experience in your particular field. Let’s take a look at some tips to get the most out of your student internship abroad.

Top Student Internships Abroad Tips

  Study your particular niche. While you will have learnt quite a bit about your industry through your textbooks, there is far more to learn as well, particularly if you are to go abroad. Make sure you read any professional literature that exists for your niche and that reflects the country that you are interested in. Do also make sure that you follow all the relevant newspapers and news websites, checking each day weather there is a development in your chosen field.

Be searchable. Regardless of whether you wish to go on an internship abroad or in a local area, and regardless of whether you want to go on a paid or unpaid internship, businesses have to be able to find you. Because you are looking for a professional position, the most important thing you can do is have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile with as many professional endorsements as you can get. It is likely that you also have other social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter, so you do have to check whether there is any compromising information on there, such as photographs of a drunken night out.

Be sociable. This is clearly connected to being searchable, but it essentially means that potential employer should not just be able to find you, they should also be able to communicate with you and learn from new about who you are and what you stand for. For instance, you could write a regular blog and welcome comments to which you should reply. This also sets you apart as an expert in your field, which is always a good credential to have.

Show gratitude. It is likely that you will be declined the opportunity to complete an internship abroad several times before you find one that accepts you. This is true wherever you are in the job market. When you are turned down, make sure you still sent the organisation a thank you note and express your gratitude. You never know, you might end up wanting to have a permanent job with that company upon completion of your degree.

Stop saying no. While we should all learn to say no more often and to be more assertive, if you want to be chosen for an internship abroad, you will have to go the extra mile and complete tasks that are outside of your job description. Obviously, there are limitations to this, but if you show yourself to be inflexible then you are unlikely to really benefit from the experience at all.