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As an incoming CS student who is terrified of interviewing this is an absolute treasure-trove. But this also makes me wonder--should I forego interviewing until after having taken an algorithms and data structures course?

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A job in the IT department of a business that doesn't specialize in technology could be a good start. My company will hire interns who have completed only their freshman year of a CS or similar program and give opportunities for real work, but we are not nearly as rigorous with technical interviews. It may not be a good landing point for someone who only wants to be technical, but it's been great experience for many who have gone on to everywhere from Microsoft/Google to start-ups.

I work at a food company in the I.T. department in a development-centric role.

Yes. Do the course first.

Or read a book and implement and understand the basics. You don't necessarily need a course to learn algorithms.

Thousand times yes. Also it will make you a better developer. Increase the size of your toolbox and all that.

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