Earn as you go

What's a working holiday really about?

For the first few days, most of the strawberries you pick will vanish into your stomach. This phase will pass quickly. For the rest of the summer you won't want to see, taste or smell strawberries. The thought of fresh strawberry jam makes you nauseous. The work is physical but it is a great way to lose weight: I lost two stones in the field mostly carrying heavy boxes.

By the end of the summer I had bigger biceps than my older brother. A little warning here. You might want to think twice before tattooing a gigantic strawberry on that bicep, as happened to a Czech bloke I met in the camp. The biceps will be gone by October; all the emotional memories will fade; the tattooed strawberry is there for good.

The UK is full of strawberry farms of all sizes, and most are looking for willing working hands as the season begins. But delving into fields of juicy fruit is more than just a summer job; it’s more like a summer camp – or a commune. Strawberry farms, like the one I’m on in Scotland, are usually far away from cities and towns; most are, to be frank, in the middle of nowhere. The closest store to me? Five miles away. Nearest pub? Three miles away. Internet? Forget it.

Most workers live in caravans close to the fields – a good thing, because the working day starts around six in the morning. At least being so close allows you to sleep in a little. Working days are long and hard, finishing when all the strawberries are gone – and when I say gone, I don't mean gone for good. By some remarkable trick I can't explain, next day the same field is full of red berries again. Spectacular.

On most farms, the faster you pick, the more money you make. The first weeks go slowly – knees hurt, back hurts, fingers hurt. But the minute you get used to the job you can really start making a lot of money and have a good time. Strawberry farms are full of young people from all over the globe. And it doesn't matter how tired everyone is on the field, the minute the red minibus takes us back to the camp, the other life starts: people cook together, eat together, sing and dance. They even go to the pub – the one that’s three miles away.

The days you are not working you can discover the local countryside. Here, that means Glamis Castle, Stone Palace, Perth, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Glasgow and Stirling. When the strawberry season ends, my friend and I hitchhike around the country. I see more of Scotland than most of the locals. It might be more convenient to buy berries from the supermarket, but where’s the fun – and the ready cash – in that?

WideWorld worker Eeva Kaun's holiday job tips.

1. Amusement parks

Offer great outdoor work opportunities. Who can turn down a free ticket to all attractions? Of course, the 347th time on Wicked Twister might not be that much fun any more but still beats working at Morrisons.

www.connexions-direct.com

2.Landscaper

I worked one summer as a landscaper. Nothing can make you more smug than planting a lawn, while looking up and seeing all the jealous faces from nearby office buildings.

www.bali.co.uk/jobshop.html

3. Lifeguard

This is a great way to meet a lot of people and at the same time look cool in a swimsuit. It's a great chance to work on the tan as well. 

www.lifeguardskills.co.uk

4. Adventure guide

If you don't mind hyperactive children and love the active lifestyle, adventure companies are the way to go. They're often looking for white water rafting guides and people to take one-day hikes.

adventurejobs.co.uk

5. Instructor

If you have any outdoor skills at all, finding a cool job outside is very easy – from sailing and kayaking instructors to climbing leaders.

adventurejobs.co.uk

6. Farming

Like animals? Working in the fields? Riding a gigantic tractor? Many farms in UK need an enthusiastic farmhand. Say hello to overalls.

www.pickingjobs.com