The I.T. Career Podcast

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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:
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#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.
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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/

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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.

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

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

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