Pick a school that uses a low-level language. C is great. Java, Python, Javascript, and Scheme are all bad. Take the courses that involve writing compilers and

Pick a school that uses a low-level language. C is great. Java, Python, Javascript, and Scheme are all bad. Take the courses that involve writing compilers and operating systems. Do a project that involves writing an emulator, perhaps for one of the things DD-WRT runs on. You could start from MAME or Qemu, or do the whole thing from nothing. Write a boot sector for the demo scene. For example, recently somebody wrote a PAC-MAN clone to run in 512 bytes. Solve a DEFCON CTF problem. They are difficult puzzles, so try several. Learn to use Ghidra (free) or a similar tool. Freeware and demo versions are available for IDA Pro, Hopper Disassembler, and Binary Ninja.