DE background (4+ yrs), MS CS student, graduating May 2027 - already applying but not sure what to prepare or what roles to target

Hey all, a bit of context: I have 4+ years of data engineering/BI consulting experience (built pipelines, dashboards, warehouse architecture for clients like Ralph Lauren, Belk, Torrens University). I'm currently doing an MS in CS, graduating May 2027, with some ML research on the side, but my actual job search is for DE roles.

I've already started applying and reaching out to people on LinkedIn for referrals, but honestly I still feel a bit lost on the details. Would appreciate any advice on:

1. Interview prep - what should I actually be studying/practicing right now (SQL, pipeline design, system design, LeetCode-style stuff)? It's hard to tell what's actually being asked in DE interviews these days vs. what I'm assuming.
2. Should I stay laser-focused on DE roles only, or is it worth also applying to adjacent roles (analytics engineering, data platform, etc.) to widen the funnel?
3. Any tips on making cold LinkedIn outreach for referrals actually land? Feels like a lot of messages go nowhere.

Would love to hear from people who've been through a similar search or who hire DEs. Thanks in advance!