The I.T. Career Podcast

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

Technology Business NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

139

Latest episode

Aug 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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 31, 2026Episode 13356 min

I Left My $100K Job to Hack Independently (Here's What Happened)

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community: https://itcareerjob.com/ Learn how a solo penetration tester builds a successful security firm without a massive corporate team behind him. See the reality of independent cybersecurity consulting. Tyler Ramsbey left the safety of a major penetration testing company to launch his own firm, Kairosec. This conversation breaks down the logistics of operating as a one-person business in an industry dominated by giant agencies. You will see how he manages to compete with multi-million dollar infrastructure companies while working entirely on his own. Whether you are an aspiring ethical hacking career seeker or an established security professional, this breakdown offers a clear look at the path to independence. We cover the specific challenges of solo security auditing and what it actually takes to run a solo operation in the high-stakes world of corporate cybersecurity. Subscribe for weekly cybersecurity breakdowns, and let me know in the comments if you want to see more interviews with independent security experts. 🖥️ Sites Mentioned in this episode: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-ramsbey-86221643/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC_82czjFMgsYMjodhG_4mIw Hack Smarter: https://www.hacksmarter.org/catalog Kairo Sec: https://kairos-sec.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://itdad.info/apple ➡︎ Spotify: https://itdad.info/spotify Timestamps: 00:00 - Solo Ethical Hacker vs Giant Cybersecurity Agency 01:05 - How Tyler Ramsbey Built Cyrosc & Hacksmarter 03:13 - Boutique Pentesting Firm vs Cheap Penetration Testing 06:32 - Why I Left My W2 Pentesting Job to Go Solo 11:22 - Balancing Full-Time Job, Family, and YouTube Content Creation 15:01 - How Much Money You Need Saved Before Quitting Your Job 19:24 - How to Build Personal Brand Authority in Cybersecurity 25:11 - First 24 Hours of a Web App Pentest (Step-by-Step) 30:20 - Finding Broken Access Control & Username Enumeration Vulnerabilities 33:55 - Network Fundamentals First: CCNA vs Network+ for Hackers 39:31 - How I Landed My First $10,000 Pentesting Client 43:08 - How to Transition From Help Desk to Penetration Tester 46:10 - Hacksmarter Training Platform & Hands-On Cyber Labs 51:02 - Solo Business Model: Work Less & Make More in Cyber 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. #pentesting #hacking #cybersecurity

August 26, 202619 min

The 2026 Tech Jobs AI Can’t Replace

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demo -- AI is changing everything… but not every tech job is replaceable. In this video, I break down the real tech careers that are in high demand, pay extremely well, and — most importantly — AI can’t easily replace. Whether you’re just starting in IT or looking to future-proof your career, this is your 2026 roadmap. We’ll cover everything from AI and cybersecurity to networking, data engineering, cloud, and DevOps, explaining what each role does, how much it pays, and the exact skills you’ll need to stay ahead. Here’s what you’ll learn: Which tech jobs will be safe from AI in 2026 The skills employers are begging for right now Real salary ranges (no hype — just facts) What challenges to expect and how to overcome them How to start preparing today, even with zero experience These are the roles that are not just surviving the AI revolution — they’re thriving because of it. 🔗 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://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. #ai #informationtechnology #ad

August 24, 2026Episode 13238 min

Junior Cybersecurity Jobs Aren't Dead — They Just Look Different Now

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demo If you're worried about the state of "cyber security" job boards, this video addresses the half-truth about disappearing "cybersecurity entry level jobs". I sat down with Kenneth Ellington, a senior security engineer, to discuss why entry-level opportunities are changing, not vanishing. Learn how to navigate the evolving landscape of "cybersecurity jobs" and build a successful "cyber security career", even as an "entry level cybersecurity" professional. 🔗 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://itdad.info/apple ➡︎ Spotify: https://itdad.info/spotify 📌 Watch Next: No Experience? Follow This 9-Month Plan for Career Success: https://youtu.be/Kbjj9alXUa4 Get Started in Cybersecurity and Excel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLne0mZGoj7Pzy7ZVFzDGjBEw1cz4Ubh 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 #jobs #ai

August 19, 202614 min

The Network Engineer Shortage That's About to Hit

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community: https://itcareeraccelerator.com/ 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/ 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://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

August 17, 2026Episode 13156 min

Is AI Destroying Your Chances of Getting Hired

Meter: Visit <a href="https://meter.com/itcareer">https://meter.com/itcareer</a> to book a demo Are you tired of being ghosted by an algorithm? In 2026, the job market has turned into an "automation arms race." With over 900+ bot-generated applications hitting every job posting, hiring managers simply don’t have time to find the humans behind the screens. Today, I’m sitting down with Morgan Willis, a Principal Cloud Technologist and Developer Advocate at AWS, to discuss why your "auto-apply" strategy is actually getting you rejected and how to fix it. Morgan has spent 15 years in software and IT, and she’s currently building the very AI agents that are reshaping our industry. We’re skipping the sugar-coating and diving into what actually lands cloud jobs right now—from leveraging your "human" superpower to why the "Next Wave" of hiring is actually happening in-person. ------------------------------------ ⚡️ THE RECOVERY KIT (FREE RESOURCES) Don't let the bots win. If you're stuck in the AI rejection loop, start here: 👉 <a href="https://thebeardeditdad.kit.com/resume-template">https://thebeardeditdad.kit.com/resume-template</a> Free ATS-Compliant Resume Template: Clear the first hurdle and get your resume seen by a human. -------------------------------- Morgan Willis: LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganwilliscloud/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganwilliscloud/</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/morganwilliscloud/">https://www.instagram.com/morganwilliscloud/</a> 🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey: <a href="https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/">https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/</a> Exclusive Career Resources ✅ Weekly Insider Tips: <a href="https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b">https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b</a> 🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE: ➡︎ YT: <a href="https://itdad.info/ytpodcast">https://itdad.info/ytpodcast</a> ➡︎ Apple: <a href="https://itdad.info/apple">https://itdad.info/apple</a> ➡︎ Spotify: <a href="https://itdad.info/spotify">https://itdad.info/spotify</a> 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. #AICareer #careeradvice #AI

August 12, 202612 min

Why CCNA Video Courses Fail Most Students

Join Boson's Live 8-Week CCNA Workshop starting Aug 17: https://itdad.info/8Weeks2CCNA If you are studying for the CCNA by just watching video courses on a second monitor while you scroll through social media, you are setting yourself up to fail on your first attempt. I learned this the hard way, burning hundreds of dollars on exam fees early in my career because my study strategy had a massive flaw. Passive information consumption does not build long-term retention or real skill. In this video, I am breaking down the exact study stack I wish someone handed me when I started—videos for introduction, labs for muscle memory, active recall for retention, and practice exams for verification—so you can build real skills, stop wasting money, and pass on your first attempt. 🔗 CCNA study stack resources mentioned: Download Anki (Free flashcards): https://apps.ankiweb.net/ Pre-made CCNA Anki Decks (AnkiWeb): https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/ccna Cisco Packet Tracer (Free simulator): https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer 🏫 Continue learning: Did you miss my deep-dive with Ryan Rose on the updated CCNA blueprint? Watch that next to understand exactly what Cisco expects you to know now. 📺 Watch the Ryan Rose interview: https://youtu.be/FMaluOJk9GM 🔗 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://itdad.info/apple ➡︎ Spotify: https://itdad.info/spotify ⏰ Time Stamps: 0:00 - What's wrong with your CCNA study plan 2:14 - The issue with video courses 3:08 - Transforming Video Courses Into Active Learning 3:58 - Tools to Force Brain Recall and Retention 7:44 - Stop Building Massive Labs and Start Labbing Smarter 10:07 - The Final Countdown: Preparing for Exam Day 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. #cisco #ccna #ad

August 10, 2026Episode 1301 hr 16 min

Land a Cybersecurity Job in 2026

Dive deeper with Snow Goat — the free hands-on lab that inspired this video: https://hubs.ly/Q03CSkb80 Plus, check out the Varonis blog for real-world cybersecurity insights: https://hubs.ly/Q03CShBG0/ Learn about the skills needed to start your cybersecurity career. David shares some career advice on how to get into cyber security jobs and the skills that helped him land a role as a cyber security analyst. This video also covers entry level cybersecurity positions. David Huynh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knowfatiguetech/ 🔗 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://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. #cybersecurity #2026 #ad

July 6, 2026Episode 12943 min

CCNA v2.0 Moves On From Memorization | Here's What Replaces It

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community: https://itcareerjob.com/ Cisco just dropped the brand new CCNA v2.0 blueprint, bringing the most disruptive change to the certification track in six years. In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Ryan Rose, Cisco’s Director of Product Management for Skills and Certifications, to pull back the curtain on why the exam is changing on February 3, 2027, and what it means for your IT career. We break down the massive shift from basic terminology memorization to deep, scenario-based network troubleshooting. Ryan explains the return of performance-based exam labs, the structural elimination of the standalone automation domain, and how Cisco plans to test your ability to audit AI hallucinations in production environments. If you are currently studying for CCNA v1.1 or trying to break into the networking industry, this conversation will completely redefine your study roadmap and home lab strategy. 📱 Ryan Rose’s SOCIAL LinkedIn: /ryanrose3 Cisco Blogs: https://blogs.cisco.com/author/ryanrose X: https://x.com/RyanRose 🖥️ Cisco Resources Mentioned: Cisco Announcement: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/ai-updates-ccna-ccie-automation CCNA 2.0 Blueprint: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-v2-exam-topics Cisco U: https://u.cisco.com/ Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ Netacad: https://www.netacad.com Packet Tracer: https://www.netacad.com/cisco-packet-tracer 🔗 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://itdad.info/apple ➡︎ Spotify: https://itdad.info/spotify ⏰ Time Stamps: 0:00 - Brand New CCNA 0:49 - Ryan Rose - Cisco 1:50 - First CCNA change in 6 years 6:25 - Is the exam too hard? 10:10 - Adding Practical Skills/Troubleshooting 13:00 - Should I wait for CCNA V2.0 15:50 - New Lablets now in the CCNA 17:50 - v2.0 Changes how you study 22:00 - Importance of time management 25:00 - Automation domain removed from CCNA 32:30 - AI in the new CCNA 40:10 - Ryan's advice for students 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. #CCNA #Cisco #Networking #ITCertifications #NetworkEngineer #CCNAv2

July 1, 2026Episode 12821 min

Brutally Honest Advice for New Network Engineers

Get SOC 2 ready fast without the manual paperwork: https://rippling.com/soc2 Thinking about breaking into network engineering, or wondering what it actually takes to succeed in IT today? I sat down live at Cisco Live with Daniel Dib, one of the few dual CCIE/CCDE experts in the world, to get his brutally honest advice for new network engineers. We bypassed the usual corporate fluff to talk about the real skills, mindsets, and massive shifts happening in the networking world right now. If you are currently studying for certifications, trying to land your first helpdesk or networking role, or feeling stuck in your tech career, this blueprint from a top 1% engineer will change how you look at your career path. 🔗 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://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 #ccna #careeradvice

June 29, 2026Episode 1271 hr 4 min

How to Stand Out in a Broken IT Job Market

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community: https://itcareerjob.com/ Join the Bearded IT Dad for a candid IT career advice panel. Gain perspective on how the tech landscape is shifting for professionals today. This panel discussion brings together industry experts to break down the evolving state of the IT industry. Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to navigate the current IT career field, this conversation offers direct insights into what is changing and how to adapt. Dakota and his fellow panelists examine the core shifts occurring in technical roles, providing clarity on what skills and mindsets are becoming essential. Use this discussion to benchmark your own professional trajectory against current industry standards and expectations. Subscribe for weekly IT career advice breakdowns, and comment below with your biggest question about the future of the IT industry. 🔗 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. #CiscoLive #it #networking