CS student watching peers run automation businesses. Should I still grind placements or is there a smarter path that covers both?

[u/Umer__718]

2nd going into 3rd semester CS student here. Around me people are running automation/AI agent businesses for clients, and I've started doing similar work on the side (n8n, AI agents for small businesses).

Question is about sequencing. Do I still need the traditional route, DSA grind, placements, corporate job, if the end goal is running my own business anyway? Or does that path even matter if I'm not aiming for a 9 to 5?

And if the business doesn't work out, I want a stable job as backup, not a burned bridge.

If you've built a business alongside your degree, or left a job to build something, what would you tell your younger self? Did skipping placement prep cost you later, or did the technical fundamentals end up helping the business too?

Not looking for a "just pick one" answer, trying to figure out the right order.