You’re doom scrolling through LinkedIn and spot yet another classmate posting about landing their dream summer internship at a prestigious company. Your stomach sinks as you wonder, “Am I falling behind already?” You’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your summer internship — or lack thereof — isn’t as important as you think.

Many students put intense pressure on themselves to secure resume-boosters, believing accolades are make-or-break keys to future success. While internships can be valuable, one of your college summers doesn’t define your future.

Even though I’m only a freshman, it feels like everyone around me is talking about where they’re applying and what interviews they’ve had. We just recently got out of the stress of college applications, but the grind truly never stops. It’s hard not to feel like you need to be handling the same workload as others or competing with your peers just to keep up.

Here, at USC, this pressure is particularly heightened with our impressive student body and opportunities. It seems like so many students are landing highly sought internships in very competitive fields like business, technology and the entertainment industry. When your peers are landing high-profile jobs, it’s hard not to compare yourself and worry that you’re falling behind if you don’t have something lined up.

It might seem ironic that I’m writing this while going through the process of applying for internships and deciding my summer plans, but I’m not suggesting that building your resume or pursuing prestigious opportunities is a bad idea. Rather, we need to shift our mindsets on the significance of these roles.

In fact, many professionals and alumni will tell you that what you do during one summer rarely has a lasting impact on your career. People change majors, switch career paths and discover new interests all the time. 

For example, 33% of undergraduates change their majors at least once. Moreover, from ages 18 to 56, baby boomers held an average of 12.7 jobs, and from ages 18-36, millennials held an average of nine jobs, which left plenty of room for pivoting and exploring different career trajectories.   

A single internship or job doesn’t lock you into a particular future; it’s just one small piece. The real value comes from exploring different opportunities and learning more about yourself in that process, which doesn’t necessarily require a flashy title.

Internships can be valuable for gaining experience and building connections, but it’s important to avoid a make-or-break mentality. Many of us might think that landing the “perfect” internship is the only way to stay on track, but this mindset adds unnecessary pressure and makes it easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Many people didn’t land their dream jobs because of one perfect internship. Instead, it’s a mix of trying out different things, getting a bit lucky and sometimes stumbling onto the right opportunity. Their careers don’t tend to be a linear line; they were established through risks taken, mistakes learned from and being available for whatever turned up. It is not always going to be a straight path, and that’s alright.

If pressure is mounting, take a few seconds to back away to remind yourself that there really isn’t a single “right” way to spend your summer and invite your friends to do the same. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. You should apply for internships if they excite you, but don’t let peer pressure or fear cause you to make choices that aren’t right for you. 

There are lots of other worthwhile ways to spend your time, whether it’s working part-time, volunteering, traveling, or simply taking time to rest and spend time with friends and family. 

Remember: you’re not falling behind. Just about every adult in my life confirms that they wish they had enjoyed their earlier college summers more, before the pressures and stress of “real-life” kicked in. Constantly chasing resume builders can lead to burnout, so it’s important to prioritize your mental health and find a balance between work and rest.

Take summer as an opportunity, not an obligation.