• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Career Vision

Contact Us | Client Login | 630-469-6270
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Testimonials
  • The Aptitude Advantage
    • The Aptitude Advantage
    • Aptitude-Based Career Planning
    • Community Education Programs
  • PROGRAMS & PRICING
    • Career Readiness Program
    • Career Launch Program
    • Career Management Program
    • Situational Career Consultation
  • Parents
    • Parents
    • Discover Strengths
    • Develop Options
    • Direction to Success
  • Students
    • Students
    • High School
    • College
  • Career Change
    • Career Management & Transitions
    • Launch & Early Career
    • Career Changers & Mid-Career
    • Late Career
    • Free Career Quizzes
    • Job Search Groups
Facebooktwitterlinkedin
Beer or Career?  Spring Break Alternatives for All Ages

Spring break for students is synonymous with a change of scenery and 24/7 socializing, whether on warm, sandy beaches or in the deep powder of ski resorts. However, the traditional destinations and activities of South Padre Island, Cancun, and Aspen are giving way to volunteer experiences and opportunities to explore potential careers. Adults can take advantage of these alternatives, too. What are three great options for spring break?

“R &R” (Rest and Relaxation) Getaway

Purpose
Depends on your age: a change of pace, meet new people, lots of partying, concerts, contests, adventure sports and recreational activities, shopping, spa treatments, sightseeing, and getting a head start on a summer tan.

Options
There are a number of trendy places to go: the Gulf Coast states, Mexico, Arizona, Myrtle Beach, and Las Vegas. Popular skiing and snowboarding destinations include Colorado, western Canada, Lake Tahoe, and Vermont.

Cost
Depends on where someone wants to go, what kind of transportation is needed to get there, and what level of accommodations are desired. Remember to add on the meals and entertainment budget, which can be sizable!

Alternative Spring Breaks (ASBs)

Purpose
Volunteers want to make a difference related to social issues such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, conservation, housing, literacy, and racism. See new places, learn new skills.

Options
Here are samples of the range of programs within the U.S. and abroad:

  • Construction in New Orleans and Biloxi, MS
  • Mentoring inner city youth in New York
  • Economic development for a Native American reservation in Arizona
  • Upgrading hiking trails in Tennessee
  • Anti-death penalty activism in Texas
  • Land ethics in Nicaragua
  • Refugee and migrant worker assistance in Miami

Cost
Break Away®, the Alternative Spring Break connection is a non-profit group that provides training support to colleges and non-profit organizations for developing alternative spring break/intensive service learning programs. Over 100 schools host a local chapter, which sponsors and coordinates trips, and over 300 non-profit organizations are partners. Cost is $150-$700 plus transportation expenses to location of project.

Habitat for Humanity International, engages 12,000 high school and college students in the “Collegiate Challenge” during 2008 spring breaks. Habitat, established in 1976, is an ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminate poverty housing. Costs range from $10 to $200 and housing is provided; food and all transportation expenses are the volunteer’s responsibility. Habitat’s weeklong programs are offered year-round, and are open to individuals age 16 or older.

Career Exploration Adventures

Purpose
Sneak preview dream jobs and uncover opportunities for summer jobs, internships or full-time jobs that are related to your desired career direction or career change.

Options
To maximize and focus your exploration, first get a solid understanding of your natural talents (aptitudes) and interests by taking a career assessment. Use the results and career recommendations suggested by the career consultant to plot your course of what careers to explore and who to contact.

Cost
Consider your career assessment as a smart investment for discovering an exciting future for yourself: $500 – $1000.

Develop your career explorer abilities through informational interviews with individuals already working in your dream job. Book a day to observe them in action in the workplace, called “job shadowing.” If your exploration territory is in your own city, costs are minimal.

If you decide to travel to another city to explore (for example, investigating government careers in Washington, DC), transportation, lodging, meals, and other expenses vary depending on your destination.

Want someone else to handle all the arrangements? Vocation Vacations offers 1-3 day career immersion experiences for 135 different jobs. Costs range from $549-$2999. Participant is responsible for transportation, lodging and meal expenses.

If time and budget are tight, plan a few days to enjoy a spring break locally. No matter what alternative you choose, shaking the monotony of late winter will replenish your energy, fire up your motivation, and put a smile on your face.

Primary Sidebar

Questions?

phone

  • FAQs
  • Interested in a speakers or events?
  • E-newsletter ~ Read and subscribe!
  • Looking for Articles & Resources?

Now confident about college choice

 

From the Career Vision Articles

  • Our Children Are Going To College, But Do They Know Why?

See more articles and resources

I would love this job!

 

From the Career Vision Articles

  • The Power Of Informational Interviews
  • College Visits Webinar

See more articles and resources

All I knew was I didn’t want a 9-5 job

 

Tip of the Month!

  • Tip of the Month for High School Students: Explore Your Interests through Academic Summer Camps

See more articles and resources

Son now thrilled with major and looking forward to job

 

Tip of the Month!

  • Tip of the Month for College Students: Discover Your Learning Preferences

See more articles and resources

A new perspective made work much more enjoyable

 

I targeted a position that fits my profile absolutely perfectly

 

From the Career Vision Articles

    See more articles and resources

    Helped me pinpoint frustration at work & understand what to look for

     

    From the Career Vision Articles

      See more articles and resources

      My results were startling

       

      From the Career Vision Articles

        See more articles and resources

        From the Career Vision Articles

        • Tip of the Month for Working Adults: Identify Your Work Values

        See more articles and resources

        I got bragging rights!

         

        New options gave us new hope

         

        Strategic direction saved us

         

        Founders
        Board of Directors

        Meet our Team

        CV sign main streetCareer Vision is a service mark of
        The Ball Foundation

        Typical Parental Investments

        Solid methodology provided direction to success & happiness

         

        Compared to an extra year or 2 of college, Career Vision cost is "a drop in the bucket"

        Article Archive

        See the full Career Vision Archive

        Where We’ve Presented

        See where we've done presentations.

        Career Vision Scholarship Winner

        Career Vision Scholarship Winner

        Subscribe

        Keep Informed

        Are you a parent or student who likes to stay informed? An adult who wants to take charge of your career? A high school, college or business professional who knows the importance of career planning and success? Subscribe to our newsletter to keep informed about:

        • Career Literacy and Career Management
        • Career and college success tips
        • Job trends and statistics
        • Upcoming presentations and events
        • Resources for practical decision-making throughout your career

        Career Readiness Brochure

        Download our Start Early, Start SMART Career Readiness Brochure

        $$ Research Membership $$

        As a research organization we are committed to the highest professional standards and practice. To help facilitate this ongoing research, we offer an optional Research Membership.

        A Research Membership entitles you to a $100 discount on any program combination you select along with unlimited* free follow up consultations. In exchange, we ask that you complete two short surveys annually. Your information will continue to support our outcome research and work on aptitudes and career paths. Please mention your interest at registration.

        * Up to 2 consultations annually

        Career Launch & Early Career Brochure

        Download our Start SMART Career Launch & Early Career Brochure

        $$ Research Membership $$

        As a research organization we are committed to the highest professional standards and practice. To help facilitate this ongoing research, we offer an optional Research Membership.

        A Research Membership entitles you to a $100 discount on any program combination you select along with unlimited* free follow up consultations. In exchange, we ask that you complete two short surveys annually. Your information will continue to support our outcome research and work on aptitudes and career paths. Please mention your interest at registration.

        * Up to 2 consultations annually

        Career Management & Transitions Brochure

        Download our Career Management & Transitions Brochure

         

        $$ Research Membership $$

        As a research organization we are committed to the highest professional standards and practice. To help facilitate this ongoing research, we offer an optional Research Membership.

        A Research Membership entitles you to a $100 discount on any program combination you select along with unlimited* free follow up consultations. In exchange, we ask that you complete two short surveys annually. Your information will continue to support our outcome research and work on aptitudes and career paths. Please mention your interest at registration.

        * Up to 2 consultations annually

        parents with sonParents are the #1 influence on their children, but most don't have the experience to confidently guide career development.

        See more information for parents.

        Understand Your Job Satisfaction

        green cube smiley happy

        Take our free Job Satisfaction Survey

        Understand your Job Satisfaction

        green cube smiley happy

        Take our free Job Satisfaction Survey

        Copyright © 1990–2025 The Ball Foundation · Contact Us | About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Staff Email