I haven't needed a degree so far, but I have re-enrolled in school to get a software engineering degree. At this rate, working full time, I might graduate by 2025... that's too far in the future.
I've been sharpening my skills and I've started applying to jobs recently. I still think my resume and portfolio don't really sound appealing to a hiring manager, so I want to improve that.
I am working solo on a personal project that should be of significant impact in the biotech community and might land me a paper once finished, but it's also taking me a considerable amount of time to complete. It's nothing too fancy from an algorithm standpoint, I'm not breaking ground, the value is in it's functionality, not the tech stack.
What can I work on to put in my github to demonstrate that I am ready to devote myself to the change and that I deserve a chance? I really want to do this, but I think I need better material to sell myself.
Any help is appreciated, and if anyone wants an apprentice, I will gladly work ad honorem after hours or on weekends.
If you want a shortcut, I would look for ways to complete your degree faster. Do more courses at a time, and make sure to finish them in the shortest time possible. It should be possible to complete a bachelors degree in 3 years.
I don't think there is anything you can do in a few weekends that will make your Github profile appealing. I also don't think you need an impressive Github profile to get a job as a developer. Most devs I know have boring Github repos.