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Welcome to another exciting episode of The TechTual Talk, where we dive deep into the world of tech careers and the extraordinary people who make it happen! In this episode, our host HD sits down with the phenomenal Lise, also known as Certified Curls. Lise is a powerhouse network engineer with over a decade of experience, beginning her journey in the military and now thriving in the private sector and network security space.

This episode is packed with gems for anyone navigating—or considering—a path in IT. Lise breaks down the real differences between networking and network security, offers unfiltered insight into working on government versus private contracts, and dishes out practical advice on pay disparities, the truth about certifications, and why network engineers deserve more respect (and better pay!). Plus, get her take on the best tech tools, the eternal Android vs iOS debate, and why hybrid work just might be the sweet spot.

We also go beyond tech, touching on everything from navigating career burnout to hilarious stories from the trenches (lemon drop, anyone?), why being in-office matters for IT newbies, and how content creation can shift your tech trajectory. Whether you’re thinking about pivoting into tech, already climbing the IT ladder, or just love a good career story, you’re sure to be inspired, informed, and entertained.

Tune in for an episode full of laughs, hard truths, and expert advice—straight from one of the industry’s brightest voices!

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