[hipsters_unite]

> "You can do both, and if possible, you should." I've also had my own business for about three years. I'd agree that you can learn a lot, but it's very different from what you can learn in an internship.

For instance, running a record label I've learned how to do things on literally zero budget, network like crazy and the stubbornness and determination involved is probably the only reason I've ultimately been able to learn how to program.

That said, I did a non-technical internship at Mixcloud a couple of years ago and the exposure to the environment as well as pieces of advice and experience have repeatedly been useful to me since... plus it was probably the first step on the road to learning to code as well.

All that considered, I have no idea why you'd see it as an 'all or nothing' thing - I once released two EPs while I was interning at NME... that's what evenings are for.