I strongly recommend co-op programs, but what happens if you either can’t afford to take a year off or you’re too close to graduation? Look to open source.
The demand for people in open source is at an all-time high. Open source technologies such as programming languages, libraries, and tools are now mainstream. Participating in an open source community can help you learn those tools, and when you go on job interviews you can not only discuss your shiny new degree, but you can point to things you’ve actually done that made a difference.