I find the best way to build a portfolio is to attend local hackathons. They're great not only because you will build a whole project in 2 days, but you get to

I find the best way to build a portfolio is to attend local hackathons. They're great not only because you will build a whole project in 2 days, but you get to learn from professionals, make contacts, and possibly meet someone who's hiring. Also, meetups (meetup.com) are a great way to meet local people who might be hiring or know of companies that are.