Academic conferences can be productive, helpful, and even fun. But they're not without their challenges! Here are some struggles which conference attendees have to deal with:

1. Publish, publish, publish.

There are many reasons for choosing the Czech Republic as a study destination: high quality education and research, universities with long-standing reputations, interesting specializations, affordable tuition fees and living costs, and last but not least, a vibrant and colorful cultural life in the heart of Europe. In the following interview Mohanapriya Venkataraman, a PhD student of Textile Technics and Material Engineering at the Technical University of Liberec, shares why she chose the Czech Republic for her studies:

While we try to keep you up to date on top conferences around the world, for instance in two recent posts on 2014 conferences on econometrics and finance, sometimes it’s difficult to know which events are a good fit for you.

Organizing a small conference or workshop – why and how to do it 

Whilst most students still do the bulk of their learning in traditional educational institutions, alternative learning possibilities are becoming more and more common. One such possibility is taking an online course, in which materials and teaching are provided over the internet. Online learning is advantageous in that you can learn at your own pace, in an environment of your choosing, and in some cases at no cost to yourself.

Nowadays it's almost expected for academics to be active on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. For a generation who grew up with internet technology as a part of their lives, it's natural that young academics would share their thoughts on academia with an online audience. There are distinct advantages for academics in making use of social media too, for career goals as well as personal fulfilment. If you're wondering whether your online profile is in need of an update, here are a few reasons to consider expanding your online presence to make greater use of social media.

What kind of jobs are open to recent graduates in finance? What are some of the biggest employers in this field? We're answering these questions with our list of 10 of the top employers for finance.

Exams can be a real stress for students! But don't panic, because we're here to help with our tips on how to ace your written essay exams:

We're listed ten of the top employers for economists, to give you some ideas about what jobs might be available to you once you graduate.

One of the most important factors affecting the total experience of your semester studying abroad are the friends that you make. While some students go on a study exchange with a friend or a few from back home, many decide to go abroad by just themselves.

Attending an academic conference is a great way to hear about new research in your field, to network with other researchers, and to present your own work to an engaged audience and receive feedback. Conferences are generally open to anyone from the field who wants to attend, however, you will get much more from the experience (and be much more likely to receive funding for your trip) if you are presenting some of your own research at the conference. But how do you get accepted to present at a conference? Today we're sharing some tips on this topic.

If you are thinking about moving from the field of economics into business, here are some tips on surviving the shift.

Hard skills are abilities such as technical skills, programming, or factual knowledge, which can be tested and which generally form the basis for academic assessment. These skills are surely important for you to achieve your career goals. However, there are other important skills which aren't usually taught, but are just as vital for success. They are known as soft skills, and today we're considering some of the soft skills you'll need to distinguish yourself in a career in economics.

With the arrival of reliable, high-speed internet, distance learning for university students has become much more feasible. Students can now sign up for single classes or whole courses to be taught online, which may include streaming lectures, live Q&A chats with tutors, and submitting coursework electronically. But how does an online course compare with a traditional course at a brick and mortar university? Today we're looking at both the pros and cons of learning online.

Make the most of your summer break, and sign up for a summer school! You can learn new skills, visit a new place, and meet fellow students with similar interests to you. For those of you who are studying a language like English, summer schools can be especially helpful as they give you lots of opportunities to practise speaking with other learners and experts. If you're considering attending a summer school this year, now is the time to start looking for schools, and we're here to help with this list of the top 10 summer schools for English in 2016. Remember to apply early, as these schools will fill up fast! 

If you're a student and you'd like the chance to refine your language skills, to travel to a new place, and to enhance your CV, then you should consider attending a summer school. The opportunity to study and acquire specialist skills over the summer is useful for everyone, but especially for students of languages! For those who are studying Spanish, here we've compiled a list of the best summer schools for 2016. You'll have lots of opportunities to practise your speaking skills, as well as to brush up on your grammar and cultural knowledge.

As businesses and individuals become more aware of climate change and environmental issues, a stronger focus is being put on the ways in which we use resources – especially energy. A whole industry has grown which supports the production and management of energy resources, as well as advising companies on how they can become more energy-efficient. With the growth of this industry, new career paths have opened up from many fields which are related to energy research or consumption. 

To keep up to date with the latest news in economics and business, there's more that you can do than just reading! Events such as lectures, workshops, and debates are excellent ways to keep up with developments in your field. Plus, they give you the chance to meet and network with other people in your field and to hear new perspectives on your work. If you're interested in attending events in economics or finance, then today's article is a list of some of the greatest events coming up soon from around the world.

If you're thinking about doing a master's degree in economics, or you're already studying for one, then you're sure to be interested in the job prospects for economics students. What kind of job can you get with a master's in economics, and in what kind of organisations do graduates end up working? We covered this issue last year, but now we've got new data on the employment of economics students for this year, so we're sharing an updated perspective. Read on to find out more about the kinds of careers which are open to those who have studied a master's in economics.