My D is a CPA who interned with a Big 4 accounting firm while in college and who still works for that firm. In her opinion, an internship is almost a requirement for full-time employment at her firm…and preferably an internship with one of the Big 4.
In my opinion, that internship was a win-win situation: it paid very well (seriously, they paid her amazingly, plus they actually paid overtime), she made valuable contacts in her field, and she learned so much. She did get a lot of free meals, but that was only because she worked a lot of late hours.
To me, the best outcomes of that experience were that she learned if she wanted to pursue a career in accounting (she did) and that she received a full-time job offer at the end of the summer. That offer made for a glorious, stress-free senior year at college.
OP, good luck to your D!