throwaway122011

when you say portfolio do you mean having a github account or a blog or a live website running? what kinds of projects should I have?

Thank you for the offer...I will contact you.

I am trying to set up my github and work on side projects as I really would like to work on a startup...however I never really know what to build, what to "hack", coming up with ideas for side projects is where I always fail, and when I do find something that interests me I find that I lack the skills to finish it and I lose motivation....

I really don't know what to do, should I focus on the fundamentals first algo's, data structures, linux, software engineering, compilers etc...or just start "building things" ? I am constantly amazed at people with so many repos on github(not forks) with so many interesting projects...where do they find the time? how do they do it? I can't compete with these people, looking at them I can't even call myself a programmer, I feel no passion could ever help me reach their level...I keep thinking I am either doomed to work for the rest of my life as a mediocre developer or I am going to have to switch careers.

I tried the entrance exam puzzles but they are just too hard! how can I get good enough to solve these puzzles and get in? I really feel I need some kind of mentor and I could benefit from a program like this.