I’ve had a job for the past three summers. I’ve taught swim lessons for little kids, hosted at a restaurant and been a cashier at the beach, collecting valuable skills and new experiences from each role.

I always feel proud of the work I put into earning my own money, yet upon my return to school in the fall, my summers quickly begin to feel a little less meaningful. Some teachers ask students to share what they did during the break, prompting many to describe the prestigious college programs or internships they participated in. Rather than being proud of my own hard work, I begin to feel as though I’m falling behind. Should I be padding my college application with fancy research or applying to intense summer programs? Am I wasting my time clearing tables and selling beach passes?

After reflecting on my past few summers, I realized having a job is an incredibly valuable experience for teenagers. I’ve had to be responsible by either showing up to every shift or communicating my conflicts. I’ve learned about things like I-9s and taxes by doing my own paperwork. I’ve gained valuable people skills through my experiences in customer service.

Going to a school with such a competitive environment can make it easy to forget that not everything you do has to look good on a resume. It’s more than okay to do an activity just because you enjoy it or to spend time relaxing over the summer. Nothing’s a waste of your time simply because it doesn’t have an impressive title, especially if it’s something that brings you joy or helps you grow.

When hearing about the accomplishments of your peers, it becomes easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough compared to them, but it’s important to keep in mind that every experience can have value if you know to look for it. Summer programs and internships can be educational and help you gain experience in a field you’re interested in, but prestigious activities aren’t the only way to have a meaningful summer. 

So next time you feel like your summer wasn’t impressive enough to share in class, don’t be ashamed of your time spent scooping ice cream or lifeguarding. You gained new experiences, learned to be responsible and, if you’re lucky, ate a lot of ice cream.