Build a full stack app that makes money. The usual advice to "get your hands dirty" is highly effective because it cuts out the crud (pun intended). The additio

Build a full stack app that makes money. The usual advice to "get your hands dirty" is highly effective because it cuts out the crud (pun intended). The additional constraint of making money forces you to learn the critical skills of prioritizing what actually matters, and building software infrastructure needed for Real Apps(TM). You'll most likely never make any money, but you'll get in the habit of not bike shedding, and be able to say you know how to set up things like email accounts and payments. A good software engineer is good because they can make ends meet. Beginners often make the mistake of spinning their wheels learning the minutiae of some stack that won't be relevant in a decade. Learning how to make money with code is a more enduring and transferable skill, and impresses all but the most jaded hiring managers.