Any indirect consequences for not returning for internship next summer?

<p>posted this in engineering forum, no responses. So I'll try it here I guess.</p>

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I'm a 3rd year ME student. I'm doing my co-op at a really big name company right now, and it's highly likely that they'll ask me to come back, but I'm not sure if i want to come back for next summer. There are lots of opportunities here, but I feel like I got a decent amount of exposure in this field, so it might be my best interest to check out other industries to see what I really want to do. Is it wise to intern at a less known company next year? Is there such thing as a "prestige" factor? </p>

<p>If i don't come back to this current company, and if i apply for full time next year(I'm a junior now), will they hold any grudge against me? In a way, I sorta ditched them after they "invested" in me, but I dont want to limit my career opportunities in just one area. Also, i still have to go through another interview process even if I return to this company next year for a full time offer.</p>

<p>Let me know what you think.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>square.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t hold it against you at all. I’ve hired people who worked for me for a summer, then did something else the following summer.</p>

<p>That said, I don’t just invest in you. I expect you to work you ass off during the summer I hired you and deliver something of value so that if we part ways I haven’t wasted my time.</p>