Publications are important and the journal is too. Research the journal find out impact factor and the unspoken reputation of journals (pay to publish sorts of stuff).
Get comfortable reading, presenting, and writing publication style works. Most hands off labs have at least one day for journal club where you meet with everyone in the lab and the PI.
If you’re good at talking in front of crowds go to conferences! Not many people like them, but if you can flex that extrovert muscle you can make some extremely valuable connections.
Also don’t worry about your research being irrelevant. Most phd projects are niche and cutting edge. You will be pushing your field forward, you’re not just along for the ride anymore as a phd.