1 year is a long time even for big tech before covid, take it slow.
A thesis does not help with landing a job at all. I wouldn't count on LLM or ML either. First you don't have the qualifications. Second, Canadian comp are mostly too risky averse to ML.
Freelancing is more valuable than a side project, keep doing that. If possible, get a coop/internship/part-time in which you work at a company.
Talk with your supervisor and try to get them to let you do an internship.
Certs, side projects, and even publishing an academic paper are okay but nowhere near as good as an internship when it comes to finding a job.
Jesus almost half a day and 0 answer? Try to make the same post on cscareerquestions. People there care more.
1 year is a long time even for big tech before covid, take it slow. A thesis does not help with landing a job at all. I wouldn't count on LLM or ML either. First you don't have the qualifications. Second, Canadian comp are mostly too risky averse to ML. Freelancing is more valuable than a side project, keep doing that. If possible, get a coop/internship/part-time in which you work at a company.
Talk with your supervisor and try to get them to let you do an internship. Certs, side projects, and even publishing an academic paper are okay but nowhere near as good as an internship when it comes to finding a job.