Technically if there are internships available, they usually suffice or mostly suffice as a first step.

Problem is where I went to university, most students in my graduating class either didn't know they could or should get an internship, or worse, didn't think it was necessary and they preferred to just play video games all day.

Many of them gave up and never ended up becoming SWE's, they went down other paths because they never found an appropriate junior level position.