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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.

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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.

#CiscoLive #it #networking

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Traditional network engineering is shifting fast, and typing manual configurations into a CLI will no longer secure your career. In this episode live from Cisco Live 2026, Girard Kavelines returns to break down the specific technical shifts that allow modern architects to write their own checks. We break down the real-world utility of kernel-level eBPF technology, machine communication protocol (MCP) servers, and Cisco Live Protect. If you want to scale your value and avoid stagnation, you must change your daily operational workflow.

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
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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.

#networking #ciscolive #careeradvice

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

Are you worried that AI and automation are going to replace network engineers? It’s time to flip the script. In this incredibly uplifting episode, network automation legend John Capobianco joins the show to explain why the rise of AI is actually the best thing to ever happen to your networking career. Instead of stealing jobs, automation is eliminating the boring, repetitive grunt work and freeing up engineers to focus on high-value, strategic architecture. If you’ve been feeling anxious about the future of tech, John’s refreshing, expert perspective will completely change how you view your career path.

We dive deep into how automation is making engineers more valuable than ever, the exact mindset shift you need to make today, and why this technological leap is the ultimate career upgrade. John shares real-world insights from his work at iTensil to prove that the future of networking isn’t automated without you—it’s empowered by you. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that will leave you excited and ready to conquer the next evolution of tech. Watch until the very end to find out how to turn AI into your ultimate career superpower!

John Capobianco Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-capobianco-644a1515/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCYE2gcN4wWewmriAP2QlT2A
Website: https://www.automateyournetwork.ca/

🔗 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.

#networking #ai #podcast

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

Rob discusses his extensive experience in cyber security architecture and defense, particularly with The Walt Disney Company. He highlights his work securing major assets like Disney parks and Star Wars Galaxy Edge. This deep dive into information security and incident response cyber security offers valuable insights into protecting large-scale digital infrastructures and highlights how network security is paramount.

Connect and follow Robert Whetstine:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BowTieSecurityGuy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowtiesecurityguy/
Where to find his epic hat: https://www.ziahatmakers.com/

🔗 Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
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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://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 #job #careeradvice

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community:
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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:
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

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

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.

🎙️ CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
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/

🔗 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.

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

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

Grab my FREE "No-Experience" IT Resume Template here: 👉

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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Weekly Insider Tips:

🎧

Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:

➡︎YT:

➡︎Apple:

➡︎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 #careeradvice #informationsecurity