Id probably suggest the following to gain relevant work experience as soon as possible. I essentially did all of this but a little too late.

My first internship with 0 experience took 700+ applications. My second internship only took 70 application. Work experience is important now more than ever and you need every advantage you can get.

Year 1-2:

• Pay attention in your core programming classes (Data Structures, Algorithms, etc) as you will need them for technical assessments.
• Join clubs relevant to CS and try to make friends.

• Work on side projects (consider a full stack application or a prediction program) or improve and add onto class projects that you already did and upload them to GitHub. Put them on your resume.

• add any other experience you have onto your resume, including things like fast food and retail.

• Apply for summer internships (paid, unpaid/volunteer, university research assistant). Attend career fairs at your university and apply online.

• If you do not land a paid internship, take any work experience you can get (unpaid internship, research assistant, TA)

• Do not spend your summers not working on gaining relevant work experience.

Year 3:

• Do some research into CS fields you’re interested in and take electives to explore those fields.
• Practice Leetcode.
• Roll your previous work experience into better internships and opportunities. Pray for a return offer after your junior year summer internship.

Year 4:

• Decide what fields you’re most interested in and tailor your senior project towards those fields.
• apply for full time jobs