Work on developing professional / non-academic connections. aka ACM, IEEE, local 'clubs/organizations', relevant open source projects. This provides broader ex

Work on developing professional / non-academic connections. aka ACM, IEEE, local 'clubs/organizations', relevant open source projects. This provides broader exposure to those looking to hire while also building one's credentials / show casing what interested in applying degree to. Demonstrates knowledge of how to use academic credentials outside of academic setting. Insite: Everything else being equal, is someone one knows/familiar with someone's work more or less likely to hire an unknown or someone who's work/project(s) is familiar/known.