In the News: Cancun is out. Volunteer service projects are in.

I posted last week about the rise in interest in volunteerism among college grads, especially in light of the current economic crisis.

You don’t have to wait until school is out to volunteer, though. According to this article from CNN, more and more college students are spending their vacations in “alternative spring break” programs.

The programs, which typically cost students around $250, offer coeds the opportunity to get involved in some of today’s most pressing social issues: hunger and homelessness, disaster relief and global warming.

Says one student, who spent her Spring Break volunteering at a homeless shelter in the Bronx:

I never really had all that money to go off and do the whole Cancun, Mexico, spring break, and I didn’t really want to, because I think that’s throwing away money… When you can give back, it’s selfish.

If you want to learn more about giving back — either here or overseas, check out JobMonkey’s section on volunteering jobs.