The Other Spring Break

April 1 2010, 3:57pm

When it comes to Spring Break, most people think of college students taking a week (or two) off from studying to get crazy in beach towns from Florida to California. And for some, that’s what the break is about. But a growing number of students are turning away from the call of the wild and using their break to lend a helping hand as volunteers.

These “alternative spring breaks” are fast becoming the norm for some students, thanks to efforts from groups like United Way, which has programs dedicated to rebuilding parts of the southern United States still devastated by hurricanes Ike and Katrina, and individual service organizations set up at schools like Indiana State University that encourage students to get involved in their local communities instead of wasting a week partying. Young adults wind painting houses, sorting and donating clothes, feeding the homeless, and more. But what’s behind the surge in volunteering? Part of it has to do with the modern popularity of service as promoted by the federal government. Serve.gov is the landing page for President Obama’s service-oriented organization that connects users with volunteer groups, and the 2008 campaign spoke often of public service. Yet the national push by politicians is nothing new, nor, sadly, is the occurrence of tragedies like Hurricane Katrina or the Haiti earthquake. The other thing getting college students motivated to volunteer is that they see how good it can be for their academic, professional, and personal lives. More and more schools are participating in programs that reward students with course credit for engaging in acts of public service. For instance, Global Crossroad has partnered with a number of schools to allow students who enroll in GC’s international volunteer programs to earn credit at their home institution. That’s a great way to boost your academic career while helping out people in need. Similarly, experience as a volunteer looks good on a resume for potential employers, demonstrating sacrifice, teamwork, and a willingness to assist someone less fortunate. More and more students are realizing that getting ahead in the job market often means standing out from the crowd, and volunteering is a great way to develop the skills and track record to prove you can do just that. Additionally, many schools are using online tools to organize their alternative spring breaks and volunteer campaigns, often using OrgSync. Recognized student organizations at UCLA are using OrgSync to coordinate programs and interact with a Volunteer Calendar that offers a breakdown of available opportunities to give back. Using the online portal is a great way for disparate student groups to get focused and come together on major volunteer campaigns, as well as an innovative use of Web technology. Ultimately, though, the alternative spring breaks and rise in volunteerism are a mix of all those factors as well as the intangible ones, like the chance to learn about the world by helping out some of its struggling residents. As they come of age and begin the transition into working adulthood, many students realize that volunteering is an opportunity to influence their peers and the world for good, and to demonstrate that there are longer-lasting, more productive ways to spend a school vacation. By-line: This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited colleges online.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id:  alvina.lopez@gmail.com.