I agree with you on the ethical aspects. The double-edged sword we all play in R&D is balancing the liability of having inexperienced talent verses seasoned, and the fresh perspective (read contemporary innovation) of the former, verses the practical art of the latter.

I touch on internships as well as working in the school labs, but I add a disclaimer. I believe that both environments setup a psychological parallel to the academic experience. And once you actually land a job in R&D, or in my case ID, the methodology, stress, and peer interaction can be a bit of a shock. So I push for the lowest common denominator. Work a production floor to see how things are assembled, and get a shop apprenticeship where a broom might be put in your hand before you touch a machine, giving you the time to observe the process. This can goe a long way toward helping to develop that work ethic we love, putting a practical face on the theory, and it seems to take the edge off a post-grad ego. We work in teams with a diverse quality of talent and experience with which we interact. Thats the core of the creative process.

That said, it takes all kinds to envision a widget. Some adapt well, and an internship may be the best choice. Others need a smack. Its the nature of the breed. Diverse talent requires a diverse approach, with diverse options.

Cheers
Kevin