The I.T. Career Podcast

The Bearded I.T. Dad - Dakota Snow

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

  1. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    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

    The Network Engineer Shortage That's About to Hit
  2. Aug 17

    Is AI Destroying Your Chances of Getting Hired

    Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer 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: 👉 https://thebeardeditdad.kit.com/resume-template Free ATS-Compliant Resume Template: Clear the first hurdle and get your resume seen by a human. -------------------------------- Morgan Willis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganwilliscloud/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganwilliscloud/ 🔗 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. #AICareer #careeradvice #AI

  3. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    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/ccnaCisco 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 plan2:14 - The issue with video courses3:08 - Transforming Video Courses Into Active Learning3:58 - Tools to Force Brain Recall and Retention7:44 - Stop Building Massive Labs and Start Labbing Smarter10:07 - 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

    Why CCNA Video Courses Fail Most Students
  4. Jul 6

    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 SOCIALLinkedIn: /ryanrose3Cisco Blogs: https://blogs.cisco.com/author/ryanroseX: https://x.com/RyanRose 🖥️ Cisco Resources Mentioned:Cisco Announcement: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/ai-updates-ccna-ccie-automationCCNA 2.0 Blueprint: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-v2-exam-topicsCisco U: https://u.cisco.com/Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/Netacad: https://www.netacad.comPacket 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 CCNA0:49 - Ryan Rose - Cisco1:50 - First CCNA change in 6 years6:25 - Is the exam too hard?10:10 - Adding Practical Skills/Troubleshooting13:00 - Should I wait for CCNA V2.015:50 - New Lablets now in the CCNA17:50 - v2.0 Changes how you study22:00 - Importance of time management25:00 - Automation domain removed from CCNA32:30 - AI in the new CCNA40:10 - 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

    CCNA v2.0 Moves On From Memorization | Here's What Replaces It
  5. Jun 29

    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

    How to Stand Out in a Broken IT Job Market
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About

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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