What does it take to become a fixed income trader?

Hi guys. I'm just enquiring about this topic out of curiosity. I want to have a FI research career in the long run, (AM or HF) and am thinking starting from trading might me the way to go, as research positions now are not widely available for recent grads.
I am doing masters in Finance at two prestigious European universities starting next year and passed CFA Level 1. I have an incoming internship in Equity Research. What does it actually take to be a fixed income trader (FICC/rates/credit)? What skills/credentials should I have, what software to use for modeling, how to get large exposure...etc?
One of the universities I'll be attending is a top uni in Paris, I chose that one specifically given the large exodus of traders from London to Paris as well as my fluency in French. I have fine financial modeling skills with Excel & VBA, but don't know any coding yet. Furthermore, all my reading and prep has been focused on equities.
Happy to hear your advice. Thanks and merry Christmas!