I'm with you - the big companies should (and do) pay their interns. I also agree that it's a big win - you get to see how the students perform in your culture, and what quality work their produce. Massive win.
But as a student, it's important to build valuable experience that you can quantify. If you can get that experience AND get paid at Amazon,Google, etc, then so be it! That's awesome.
But if you have an amazing opportunity to learn more, and have a greater impact at a smaller org, that pays less or nothing, then that could still be the best opportunity as an intern. (Not to mention, it could also prove to be more rewarding).
Don't get me wrong - if you're going to learn more AND get paid big bucks at one of the big companies, then that's the best opportunity in the world and you should never pass that up.
But as a student, it's important to build valuable experience that you can quantify. If you can get that experience AND get paid at Amazon,Google, etc, then so be it! That's awesome.
But if you have an amazing opportunity to learn more, and have a greater impact at a smaller org, that pays less or nothing, then that could still be the best opportunity as an intern. (Not to mention, it could also prove to be more rewarding).
Don't get me wrong - if you're going to learn more AND get paid big bucks at one of the big companies, then that's the best opportunity in the world and you should never pass that up.