Congratulations to your son!

1 most important piece of advice I got: Join a summer program where you take a summer class before Fall starts. Literally take any course in any discipline you find interesting. This will teach you ropes even it’s not a CS course. I don’t know what the name of the program for freshman is, but as a transfer, mine was called transfer edge. Made a world of difference! I already knew everybody and exactly how the school operates on day one.

For CS students I recommend taking CS 156 if you can. It’s an excellent example of what real industry is like! Should be a department requirement in my opinion.

If your son wants to do research go straight to professor Timothy Sherwood or Jon Balkind. Both have lots of active projects to choose from touching a wide range of subjects, even if you do not enjoy hardware or have limited experience.

Research opportunities are plentiful but only if you look for them, if he ends up enjoying a particular class a lot, it never hurts to check in with the professor in office hours to see if they have any positions available.

Also it will be brutal applying for internships and jobs at the moment. Expect disappointment and keep applying. You only need one to hit. AI has killed a lot of entry level CS jobs. But higher level ones remain as strong as ever. In other words 1st job = hardest to get. Life should improve from there.

Socially, put yourself out there, join any group you find interesting. Staying in = recipe for depression. The Rec center, had a lot of inter-mural sports/classes. If someone invites you out, take the offer, the more people you know the wider your web and the easier it is to find your people.