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Cybersecurity 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/40Egv9R
Noob Village: https://www.noobvillage.org/

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#hacking #cybersecurity #careeradvice

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

If 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/

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🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast:
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➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: 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

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Are 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/

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✅ 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.

Hashtags: #careerchange #informationtechnology #cybersecurity

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

Most 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/mikelossmann
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lossmann-5aab19a/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCYGRKhcY9zmrKJP_VKCXV3A

Join My I.T. Career Accelerator Community:
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• ✅ Weekly Insider Tips: https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b
• 🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
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  • ➡︎ 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.

#careerplanning #tech #careeradvice

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Many 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:
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  • ➡︎ 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

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demo

Are 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

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🎧 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

🔓 Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community:
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Breaking into tech today is not what you’ve been told. Everywhere you look, someone is promising a shortcut. Get certified in three months. Land a cybersecurity job fast. Follow this roadmap and you’re guaranteed success. But the reality is more nuanced than that.

In this episode, we have an honest conversation about what actually matters when you’re trying to build a real career in tech. No hype. No magic timelines. Just perspective from someone who is actively navigating the journey right now.

We talk about fundamentals, why so many people skip networking and core skills, the pressure to specialize too early, and how to separate signal from noise in the endless stream of tech career advice online.

If you’ve ever felt behind, confused, or frustrated because your path doesn’t look like the internet promised, this episode is for you. The goal is simple: help you make smarter, longer-term decisions so you can build a career that actually lasts.

🔗 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:
https://apple.co/4aw0uVM

➡︎ Spotify:
https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: 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.

Dive deeper with Snow Goat — the free hands-on lab that inspired this video. https://hubs.ly/Q03CSkb80Plus, check out the Varonis blog for real-world cybersecurity insights https://hubs.ly/Q03CShBG0

Most people trying to break into IT or cybersecurity believe the same thing: get more certifications and eventually the job will come. But in today’s competitive tech job market, that approach is no longer enough. In this episode of the IT Career Podcast, Dakota sits down with Dr. Gerald Auger, founder of Simply Cyber Academy, to reveal what actually drives IT career growth. We unpack why certifications, degrees, and bootcamps are only a small piece of the puzzle and how personal branding, LinkedIn visibility, and professional credibility are what really separate people who get hired from those who stay stuck.

Gerald shares real-world insight from working with thousands of IT and cybersecurity professionals and explains how building a strong personal brand creates career opportunities long before you ever submit a resume. If you are trying to land your first help desk job, move into cybersecurity, or level up your IT career, this conversation will show you exactly how to stand out in a crowded job market and get noticed by recruiters, hiring managers, and industry leaders.

✅ Gerald Auger, Ph.D. Resources:Website: https://www.simplycyber.io/socialsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplycyberLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldauger/

🔗 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.

#personalbranding #careeradvice #cybersecurity