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Rob discusses his extensive experience in cyber security architecture and defense, particularly with The Walt Disney Company. He highlights his work securing major assets like Disney parks and Star Wars Galaxy Edge. This deep dive into information security and incident response cyber security offers valuable insights into protecting large-scale digital infrastructures and highlights how network security is paramount.

Connect and follow Robert Whetstine:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BowTieSecurityGuy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowtiesecurityguy/
Where to find his epic hat: https://www.ziahatmakers.com/

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
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#cybersecurity #job #careeradvice

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The data shows this isn't just a future prediction—it is actively happening. The latest research from Enterprise Management Associates reveals that 52% of companies are struggling to hire and retain network engineers right now, a massive jump from just 26% a few years ago.

Two massive shifts are colliding to cause this crisis:

• The retirement cliff: The industry is currently smack in the middle of a massive demographic wave where an estimated 25% of senior network engineers are retiring within a five-year window.
• The pipeline drought: For the past decade, new tech workers have completely avoided networking. Everyone rushed into software engineering, web development, or AI because they thought networking was a dying, on-premises field.

Now, hyperscalers and enterprises are building massive data center infrastructure and realizing they have plenty of software people but a severe shortage of engineers who actually know how to plumb the pipes. The supply of up-and-coming talent is completely dry.

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
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➡︎ Apple: https://itdad.info/apple
➡︎ Spotify: https://itdad.info/spotify

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#networking #careeradvice #ai

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What does it actually take to become a network engineer today? In this episode, 15-year veteran infrastructure engineer Kevin Nanns (@adjacentnode) strips away the corporate fluff to give you the honest roadmap for building a successful tech career.

If you’re feeling completely stuck grinding away at a tier-1 help desk resetting passwords, or you’re exhausted from collecting IT certifications like trading cards hoping for a breakthrough, this conversation is the reality check you’ve been waiting for. Kevin shares his own journey from a school district help desk to engineering massive enterprise networks, breaking down the exact tactical shifts you need to make to bypass the entry-level bottleneck and unlock six-figure infrastructure roles.

We also dive deep into his most contrarian views, including why traditional physical home labs are a massive waste of money, what nobody tells you about the real value of a CCNA, the toxic "LinkedIn cringe" ruining mainstream career advice, and where artificial intelligence is genuinely shifting the workload versus where it’s just overhyped vendor marketing garbage.

🎙️ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adjacentnodeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adjacentnodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adjacentnodeListen to the Life in Uptime Podcast: https://lifeinuptime.com/

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey: https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
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➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

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#NetworkEngineer #ITCareer #CCNA #HelpDesk #TechCareers #adjacentnode #Networking #cybersecurity

Want to break into Cyber? You have to beat the IT gatekeepers first. 🛑

Grab my FREE "No-Experience" IT Resume Template here: 👉

Everyone wants to work in "cyber security", but few discuss what truly leads to "career growth" and success. This video shares unconventional paths to achieving "career success", focusing on practical steps rather than typical resume building. Learn how guests achieved significant "career growth" in under a year, offering valuable "career advice" for advancing in the industry.

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:

Exclusive Career Resources

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Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:

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➡︎Apple:

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#cybersecurity #careeradvice #informationsecurity

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Many devices, from smart home gadgets to company IoT devices, are vulnerable to attacks because they weren't designed with security in mind. This video with hardware hacker Matt Brown explores the critical need for robust cybersecurity and ethical hacking practices. We discuss how these devices are susceptible and the importance of network security to ensure your home security.

Matt Brown:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3VDCeZYZH7mCihtMVHqppw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbrwn/
Discord: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbrwn/

🔗 Don’t wait, click here to start your tech career journey: https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

Exclusive Career Resources
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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
➡︎ YT: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#Hacking #HardwareHacking #Cybersecuirty

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demo

Cybersecurity feels gatekept for a lot of beginners. If you have been studying for months, stacking certifications, and still not getting interviews, this episode is your wake-up call. Dakota (The Bearded I.T. Dad) sits down with Josh Mason, founder of Noob Village at DEF CON, to break down what actually gets you hired in cybersecurity. Spoiler: it is not another certification. It is proof. We talk about why entry-level cyber roles are tough to land, how to stand out when job listings demand experience, and the hacker mindset that helps you build your own path into the industry.

We also get into what Noob Village is and why it exists as the beginner on-ramp at DEF CON. Josh shares practical next steps you can start today, including KC7Cyber (a free incident response training game) and how to turn what you learn into proof: write-ups, lab walkthroughs, GitHub notes, and LinkedIn posts that hiring managers can actually evaluate.

Josh Mason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason/
Josh's Book (Cybersecurity Beginner's Guide): https://amzn.to/40Egv9R
Noob Village: https://www.noobvillage.org/

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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
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➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#hacking #cybersecurity #careeradvice

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control.
https://bit.ly/itential-overview

If you're collecting certifications but not landing interviews, you might be caught in the "Cert Trap."

In this episode, we break down why certifications are valuable for career progression — but don’t always prove you can actually do the job.

A good career strategy requires balance: certifications + practical skills + proof of job readiness. If you want to succeed in today’s tech job market, you need all three.

🔗 Don’t wait — start your tech career journey here:
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Exclusive Career Resources

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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast:
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➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#certification #cybersecurity #careeradvice

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Are you stuck in a career you hate and wondering if it’s too late to switch into tech?

In this episode, Brian shares how he left a 10-year career in education, took a pay cut, and broke into IT in his 30s, without a traditional tech background.

If you’re burned out, unhappy at work, or questioning whether you can realistically transition into IT, this conversation will show you what that pivot actually looks like. We talk about the doubts, the late-night studying, building hands-on skills with projects like a Raspberry Pi, landing a Tier 1 help desk role, and what really helped him stand out with no prior experience.

This isn’t a “get rich quick” tech story.
It’s a real one.

Whether you’re considering a career change into IT, help desk, cybersecurity, or just trying to figure out your first step into tech, this episode will give you clarity and momentum.

Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

Exclusive Career Resources
✅ Weekly Insider Tips: https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b
🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
➡︎ YT: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Hashtags: #careerchange #informationtechnology #cybersecurity

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control: https://bit.ly/itential-overview

Most people believe successful careers require careful planning, like specific degrees or certifications. However, this video discusses a less conventional approach to career development, highlighting how a major life decision was made with a coin flip, leading to an unexpected path in information technology. We explore the importance of decision making and choices in shaping personal growth, offering career advice beyond traditional roadmaps.

Mike Lossmann:

• https://linktr.ee/mikelossmann
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lossmann-5aab19a/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCYGRKhcY9zmrKJP_VKCXV3A

Join My I.T. Career Accelerator Community:
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Exclusive Career Resources

• ✅ Weekly Insider Tips: https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b
• 🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
  • ➡︎ YT: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
  • ➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
  • ➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#careerplanning  #tech  #careeradvice