It always goes like this. After checking your email nonstop for the past few hours, you finally receive the email you’ve been waiting for. You eagerly open the email, hoping that this one would be the one.

“Thank you for applying….,” the email begins. You don’t even read the rest of the email. Only rejection letters start like that.

If you’re a college student, you probably understand the struggle. It’s almost summer, and the internship recruitment process is almost over. At this point, many students have already secured an interesting internship related to their field. For many others, however, rejection letters just don’t stop coming. Applied to 16, rejected from 16. Great.

Don’t let this get you down. Internships aren’t the only things you can do in the summer. Even if you’re trying to build your resume, there are still countless other ways to do it.

1. Volunteer

Volunteer. Pick an organization or a cause you’re passionate about, and volunteer with them for a summer. Not only will you be able to directly benefit society, you will also be able to add something to your resume. If you’re an animal person, check out the local animal shelter. If you’re passionate about the environment, get out and help plant trees every week. By the time summer is over, you’ll have become an expert in the cause you’re helping out.

2. Part-Time Summer Job

If money is an issue, then pick up a summer job. The perks of not having a full-time internship is that you can spend that same amount of time working at a potentially higher paying job. This leaves you the option of interning part time during the school year without having to worry about funds. Not only will you pick up a new skill, you’ll also create new connections with all sorts of people. Even better, you’ll have time to volunteer every once in a while too!

3. Travel

If you just graduated or are confused about what you want to do in the future, then take the summer to travel. By traveling, I don’t mean living in luxurious 5 star hotels everywhere and eating at Michelin star restaurants; I mean traveling with a small suitcase and thoroughly exploring a place you’ve always wanted to. Use this time to learn more about the diversity in the world and meet new people.

4. New Hobby

Learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. It’s finally time to give some attention to that guitar you bought years ago that’s just sitting in the corner of your room. Download Duolingo and learn a new language. Check out a rock climbing gym. You have all the free time in the world, so why not do something that will pass the time and leave you with a new talent to leave on your resume or connect with others over?

Not having an internship for the summer doesn’t mean you’re somehow falling behind in your career path.

It simply offers you a chance to do something you haven’t had time to do before.