Many companies take advantage of enthusiastic inventors.
You can take pride when awarded a patent, but don't assume it is an endorsement of your invention. You may feel sure the world needs it, but industry is mainly interested in finding more resources to develop the ideas they already have. It's hard to convince a manufacturer that your idea is better than theirs. Often, the only proof they believe is the sales figures of a proven product. You'll get some practical lessons about patents and protecting your idea.