Engineering Internships: academic research vs. industry

[bdub_24]

I am currently a mechanical engineering student planning to work in the aerospace industry. I am a likely candidate for two internship opportunities; one of them is at a smaller aerospace firm that builds target drones and the other is at a university doing nanosystem research. Which would be more valuable to potential employers in the future?

Any thoughts/ advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Shaun_W]

Probably the one in industry, but you may not get the choice, and either will be far better than nothing.

 

[AlephZero]

Who do you see as your "potential employers in the future?" Academia, or industry?

But either way, you already know something about what academia looks like, at least from a customer's point of view. Looking at the alternative won't hurt you, whatever your preferences are.