Is turning down almost DOUBLE the salary stupid?

I’d really appreciate some advice because I’m feeling torn about a decision I just made. I received two internship offers for early next year: Offer A: Capital Markets / Investment Management Consulting Internship Salary: €26k Very markets-focused (risk, investment management workflows, technical systems) Strong client exposure Much more aligned with my long-term goal: M&A / investment banking Offer B: Treasury/ Retirement Internship Salary: €44k well-known global company Great pay for an intern here. But more on the corporate finance/internal side and less relevant to M&A After thinking it over, I want to choose Offer A, even though the salary is significantly lower, because it lines up better with the career path I actually want. I see it as a long-term investment in skills and experience. But now my whole family is telling me I made the wrong choice because the pay difference is huge and the other company is more “famous” from the outside. Now I’m doubting myself a bit. Is the salary difference (€26k vs €43.7k) too big to justify choosing the more relevant role for my long-term goals? For context, I study economics,maths & stats, have hedge fund experience at a global company and do M&A work in my student fund. My aim is still to break into IB/M&A after graduating. I am in my penultimate year. Would love to hear from anyone who’s been in finance or made similar trade-offs. Did I make the smart long-term decision, or am I missing something? Thanks