The most important thing to do while in college is NETWORK...NETWORK...NETWORK.
Find out who the players are in the field you are pursuing, find ways to meet them and let them know who you are, so that when you graduate, you already have connections. As always, it’s now what you know, it’s who you know.
Exactly, and after college, if you know you have the ability, find out what conferences, in your field, that are being held all over the world. Organize your vacation to travel to Italy or wherever and, for a fee, you can become a speaker.
Go to a couple of these conferences it will cost you a few hundred dollars but if you are good, you will make a name for yourself with people who matter.
Never waste a vacation, two days at the Conference - a prepared presentation, and ten days having a great holiday.
At least your CV will stand out among the crowd and you will never get such value for the money you spend even if you went to Harvard.
PS. If you are a guy it helps to have an elegant lady with you, she will really help you NETWORK at these conferences. :)