The I.T. Career Podcast

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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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➡︎ 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.

#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:
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Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
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#cybersecurity #careeradvice #informationsecurity

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

Right now, the field of networking is being reshaped by artificial intelligence and network automation. This video discusses how these changes are making some network engineering roles more valuable, while others become irrelevant. We offer career advice on how to adapt and thrive in tech careers by embracing this technological shift.

🔗 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.

#ai #networking #automation

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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
✅ 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.
#Hacking #HardwareHacking #Cybersecuirty

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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/
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.
#hacking #cybersecurity #careeradvice