The I.T. Career Podcast

Hosted by The Bearded I.T. Dad - Dakota Snow

Technology Business NewsInterviews guests

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Episodes

126

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Empowering Your IT Career Journey – From the first step to success! With a passion for technology and a mission to uplift others, I’m here to guide you through the dynamic IT industry. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance, you’ve found a community dedicated to your growth. Advice & Insights: From Help Desk to Director of Network Operations in 3 years, I share strategies to fast-track your career. Expert Conversations: Gain exclusive insights from industry leaders. Let’s make IT happen! Sponsorship Inquiries: info@snowmediagroup.com

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60 recent

May 25, 2026Episode 12349 min

What It Actually Takes to Become a Network Engineer Today

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoWhat 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 GUESTTikTok: 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/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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

April 1, 2026Episode 1221 hr 10 min

Certs Are Dying. Skills Are Taking Over. Are You Ready?

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✅ Weekly Insider Tips:🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:➡︎YT: ➡︎Apple: ➡︎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.#cybersecurity #careeradvice #informationsecurity

March 30, 2026Episode 12152 min

The AI Shift That’s About to Hit Networking

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control. https://bit.ly/itential-overviewRight 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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

March 24, 2026Episode 1201 hr 7 min

Day in the Life of a Hardware Hacker

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoMany 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/@UC3VDCeZYZH7mCihtMVHqppwLinkedIn: 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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

March 20, 2026Episode 11959 min

Hack Your Way Into Cybersecurity (Ethically)

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoCybersecurity 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/40Egv9RNoob 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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

March 16, 2026Episode 11858 min

Collecting Tech Certs But No Interviews? Here's Why

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control.https://bit.ly/itential-overviewIf 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:https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/Exclusive Career Resources✅ Weekly Insider Tips:https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast:➡︎ YouTube: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

March 2, 2026Episode 11754 min

Stuck? Unhappy? Here's How I Escaped the Wrong Career to Tech

Start the FREE I.T. Introduction Course with CourseCareers Now:https://coursecareers.com/a/thebeardeditdad?course=itAre 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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

February 25, 2026Episode 1161 hr 10 min

Why You Don’t Need a Plan to Break Into Tech

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control: https://bit.ly/itential-overviewMost 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/mikelossmannLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lossmann-5aab19a/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCYGRKhcY9zmrKJP_VKCXV3AJoin My I.T. Career Accelerator Community: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/3yBcrfuDisclaimer: 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

February 23, 2026Episode 1151 hr 9 min

You're Burning Out Because of This!

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoMany view information technology as a career with good pay and job security, yet widespread burnout among IT professionals is a reality. This video explores why this burnout is not random but a systemic issue within the industry. We discuss the challenges and offer career advice to navigate these common IT career questions, emphasizing the importance of mental health in a demanding tech environment.🔗 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.#tech #burnout #informationtechnology

February 19, 2026Episode 11452 min

The IT Job That Levels You Up Fast!

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoAre you trying to break into the information technology field and considering working for an MSP?This video tackles whether a managed service provider role is the fastest entry point or a potential path to early career burnout.We break down the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision for your IT career.Learn the realities of help desk jobs in an MSP setting and how to avoid burnout in your first IT job.🔗 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:➡︎ YouTube:https://itdad.info/ytpodcast➡︎ Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/4aw0uVM➡︎ Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu#msp #job #informationtechnology

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