Gap Year Between IB and PE

I want to take a gap year between IB and PE to do two six-month internships at industry startups or PortCos to become operationally minded. Is this a good idea? Obviously would be giving up quite a bit of earnings but I feel this is the best way for me to learn the industry while also taking a little break with more chill hours.

On my resume I would phrase it as an "operational rotation". Going to start networking with some companies (moreso just to learn about what they do) and see where that goes. Does this have value? I want to avoid becoming the pure finance / consultant-ey type that doesn't fully understand what's going on.

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