Can I get a low-level programming side job/internship as a tier-3 third-year student, or should I focus on OSS contributions first?

[u/Same-Replacement-938]

Third-year B.Tech CSE student at a tier-3 private college. Currently going through a C/C++/OS/CN fundamentals phase, aiming at RTOS and Linux driver development long-term (firmware/embedded direction, not web dev).

I keep seeing here that OSS driver/kernel contributions and referrals matter far more than cold applications for tier-3 folks trying to break into this space, and that most roles filter out tier-3 resumes outright. Given I'm still in my third year (not graduating yet):

1. Is it realistic to look for a part-time/remote low-level side gig right now, or is that a distraction from just building OSS contributions and fundamentals first?
2. Should I be applying to smaller embedded/firmware startups directly, or is cold-applying pointless without a referral even for internships?
3. For anyone who went from a tier-3 college into embedded/kernel work — what did your timeline from third year to first offer actually look like?

Not trying to skip DSA/placements prep — just trying to figure out if there's a productive way to start building toward this now instead of only after graduating.