Hi everyone,

I'm a second-year mechanical engineering student at a 3rd generation IIT, and I'd like to share my journey and seek some feedback and tips on my progress so far. Despite being in Mechanical Branch, I've delved into programming through LeetCode, driven by my passion for coding and development. Here's a snapshot of my journey and goals:

My Journey So Far:
Since December, I've been actively participating in LeetCode, maintaining a remarkable streak of nearly 120+ days (normal) and 90+ days (fire). I've solved over 220+ problems and achieved a contest rating of 1600+, focusing primarily on LeetCode contests rather than traditional CP. Alongside, I've explored frontend development, dipped into web3, and have plans to dive into backend development during the upcoming summer break.

Goals by August:

Master web development, including web3 concepts.
Complete 2-3 impactful projects showcasing my skills.
Boost my contest rating to 1800+.
Solve 450 problems on LeetCode, honing my problem-solving abilities.
Challenges and Concerns:
Coming from a mechanical background, I'm mindful of the challenges I might face, especially regarding job opportunities where a CS degree is often preferred. Additionally, my GPA currently stands at 6.92, and I'm determined to raise it above 7 by the end of my 4th semester.

Seeking Advice and Tips:

Should I be concerned about my branch and GPA (Is 6.9 GPA decent)?
What are some pathways for non-core students like me to access interviews, both on-campus and off-campus?
What are some PBC's that allow all students irrespective of branch to sit in an interview?
I have some of my cousins who work in some of the top PBC's whom i can ask for referral but i also want to know does refferal work if you are from mechanical background?
I'm eager to receive feedback, tips, and insights from the community. Your guidance will be immensely valuable in shaping my journey forward.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!