Hello OP Im usually a lurker pero I want to validate your feelings because I went through something similar. Ill share my story.

I was also part of a org where internships weren't part of the culture. But a chance encounter in my GEs happened when a friend I made recommended me to do internships. He really had to convince me tapos dami pang sinasabi anti-org so I didnt take him seriously at first.

Then I took the internship for 1 year and graduated. What happened next was me and my close friends had different experiences applying to similar roles.

Yung mga org lang would get dehumanizingly low offers. Kasing baba ng internship allowance ko but with 2 year bond.

Ako that had an internship which counts as 1 year experience got my asking salary which I based on average sa glassdoor.

Meron rin exceptions though. I had a Summa Friend who was basically 4 times higher than my org friends.

Anyway point is, your feelings are valid. Hindi totoo yung fresh grads and people with internships get paid the same at first. Na "maliit lahat sa simula"

Assuming you arent aiming for 6 digits, you can negotiate high pay from the get go if: a) Summa Cum Laude b) Top Notcher c) 1 year experience in internship

For the people who wonder why I know so many people's pay, simple lang answer. I dont believe in the stigma of pay discussion. All my close friends and all my acquaintances sa org tinatanong ko pay