[runjake]

This might sound condescending but I fully do not mean it to: learn programming.

Raw dog code on small projects while avoiding using AI, except to explain things when you get stuck.

Learn theory. Learn algorithms. Learn data structures. Learn about secure coding. All of these will help inform you, even if you stick with agentic coding.

Go as deep or as shallow as you want to.

If you want to go deep, read some of the classics (SICP, C book, Pragmatic Programmer, etc), but don't beat yourself up if you don't find them interesting. Most programmers haven't read those books either.