SPRING BREAK IS MORE THAN JUST FUN IN THE SUN
FOR U.VA. STUDENTS	

	Many University of Virginia students will use their spring
break of Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 16, to explore career
options and help others.

Helping Themselves Investigate the Future

	Beginning March 10, about 250 U.Va. students will participate
in the EXTERN Program, which is run through U.Va.'s Office of Career
Planning and Placement.  Week-long externships allow students to gain
a realistic perspective of a career by placing them in a business of
their choice.  The students provide a week of free labor, often paying
their own transportation and lodging expenses, to investigate a field.  
	
	The EXTERN Program attracts motivated students who are
committed to exploring career options, according to coordinator Laurie
Blomstrom.  Believed to be the largest of its kind, the program places
approximately 1,000 students during the spring, summer and fall
breaks.  Students this spring are expected to work in such diverse
fields as zoology, banking, publishing and arts administration.

	The benefits of externships are two-fold, Blomstrom says.  The
program gives sponsors the chance to assist students with career
decisions and pre-screen potential employees.

	For more information, contact Blomstrom at (804) 924-8900.

Helping Others Have Brighter Futures

	This spring break students will renovate and build homes,
tutor children, work on farms and serve in soup kitchens through the
Alternative Spring Break program.

	Started by students in 1992, the program began with 20
volunteers at two domestic sites.  This year's program has eight sites
in the United States and one in Honduras, attracting 92 volunteers.

	The purpose of the program is to recognize that community
service can be done anywhere, according to student Alyssa Mankofsky,
site leader trainer.  "Alternative Spring Break inspires volunteer
spirit and team work," she said.

	The first group of volunteers will leave Friday, March 7.  The
remainder will leave throughout Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9.
	The Alternative Spring Break program is sponsored by Madison
House, a nonprofit organization that coordinates U.Va. student
volunteers.

	For more information, contact student leaders going to the
following sites:

	Atlanta, GA -- Students will renovate homes in low-income
neighborhoods in the city.  Georgia site leaders are Sara Ator, (804)
979-8749, and Matt Shuman, (804) 243-2190.

	Dungannon, VA -- Students will be exposed to Appalachian life
and culture and the difficulties facing many poverty-stricken
communities in the region.  Virginia site leaders are Juline
Chevalier, (804) 296-0739, and Rene Theriault, (804) 923-0825.

	Tegucigalpa, Honduras -- Students will work with Nuestros
Pequenos Hermanos, an international organization committed to helping
homeless and orphaned children.  Honduras site leader is Anna-Emily
Gaupp, (804) 236-3598.

	Little Rock, AR -- Students will work on a farm or in the
maintenance of Global Village, an interactive exhibit on the various
forms of housing and food distribution.  Arkansas site leaders are
Megan Lisagov, (804) 977-0448, and Jen Krause, (804) 984-6380.

	Casa Grande, AZ -- Students will tutor children and do
construction work for the Gila River Indian Reservation.  Site leader
is Rob Thomson, (804) 293-6702.

	Site leaders at Tyrell County, NC:  Jenny Sigel, (804)
979-2665, and Sarah Shields, (804) 243-2527.

	Site leaders at Narrows, VA:  Alex Gitter, (804) 963-7743, and
Kathleen Muller, (804) 243-3379.

	Site leaders at Orland, ME:  Louise Barbato, (804) 296-0739,
and Katie Childers, (804) 295-4321.

	Site leaders at OK:  Nathan Mah, (804) 243-0752, and Katie
Wright, (804) 923-0854.
	
	For a full description of the Alternative Spring Break
Program, contact Cecilia Montalvo at (804) 293-5119.

###

February 28, 1997

	Television reporters should call our TV News Office at (804)
924-7550.