I currently started work as a data analyst. For a data analyst, the work is quite programming heavy actually (e.g. we don't use Excel but Jupyter). But for a software engineer, the amount of programming feels low. It's more like creating quick scripts.

For now, I'm having a blast but I want to keep my actual software engineering skills sharp where I also learn some stuff on a part-time basis. Preferably stuff that I can also put on a resume that will be seen as experience.

What would you suggest I should do? I was thinking about joining an open-source project of a big enough scope or something. Perhaps I should insist on fun software, which would be certain web apps or game development in my case.