Start planning your summer

First stop is your college or university careers service. They should have details of various different schemes and opportunities, as well as advice on previous students’ experiences.

But there’s no shortage of stuff online too – here’s our pick of some of the options out there…

Want to help others enjoy their holiday? Check out BUNAC which runs working adventures in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the US, or Camp America which has roles working with kids or looking after its camps.

Closer to home, PGL activity centres in the UK or Europe have seasonal roles ranging from catering to sports instruction, or try Seasonworkers for summer jobs in holiday parks and campsites.

There are loads of overseas volunteering options but be sure to check the small print to see what’s included as sometimes you’ll need to pay for admin, accommodation and travel costs.

If you like the idea of working the land, take a look at WWOOF which can connect you with opportunities worldwide. Volunteers get food and lodging and the chance to live and learn on organic farms in return for a few hours’ work each day.

It’s a similar deal being a festival steward – positions are normally unpaid but you earn a free ticket in exchange for working a number of shifts. See The Guardian’s How to volunteer at festivals for details of where to sign up.

A short TEFL course will qualify you to teach English as a foreign language and set you up for teaching jobs abroad, as well as jobs teaching foreign students in the UK.

The British Council also runs a variety of overseas schemes. Some placements extend beyond the holidays but you might find something that works for you.

Lots of big companies run student placements and internship schemes over the summer holidays. Again, visit your college or university careers service to find out more. If there are companies that really appeal to you, then check their websites to see what’s on offer.

See Get volunteering for more ideas on where and how to volunteer.