First-year BTech CSE student: Build practical skills, portfolio, and network.

A first-year BTech CSE student is proactively seeking ways to stay ahead. This is an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation beyond academics. Focus on acquiring hot skills like Python, Java/C++, data structures & algorithms, Git/GitHub, and cloud basics (AWS/Azure/GCP). Actively engage in coding challenges (LeetCode), contribute to open-source projects, build personal projects (web apps, mobile, ML), join tech clubs, and attend workshops. Networking with seniors and industry professionals is also key. These activities will significantly enhance internship and entry-level job prospects, potentially leading to better roles and higher starting salaries.