The I.T. Career Podcast

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

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

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

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

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