Hi! I'm a sophomore CS student, currently deciding between 3 offers for SWE internships in the summer but narrowed down to 2. My long-term goal is to work for a major tech company, exploring AI/ML/full-stack/DevOps roles.

I want to choose an internship that will best set me up for an internship at those larger tech companies next year and eventually a full-time role. 

Total compensation for Lockheed Martin and T. Rowe Price would even out to be about the same, despite T. Rowe paying more per hour. 

Lockheed has a more recognizable name (F100 while T. Rowe is not on the F500 list), but I’ve heard that fintech provides a more direct pathway to major tech companies than defense. 

Lockheed Martin: SWE Intern, Mount Laurel, NJ, estimated entry-level TC: $87k

T. Rowe Price: SWE Intern, Baltimore, MD, estimated entry-level TC: $103k

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you! :)