Since you brought up LHC, here is an anecdote. I worked on software development tools used directly for LHC as part of an internship. That experience was of z

Since you brought up LHC, here is an anecdote. I worked on software development tools used directly for LHC as part of an internship. That experience was of zero use when I tried to apply for a PhD later. It did get me several $BIGN internships though. Make what you want of this story.