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IN TODAYS EMAIL:

• 3 Steps That Will Help You Break into IT

• Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

• Ambition: CCNA + Job Hunting

ADVICE AND TIPS:

3 Steps That Will Help You Break into IT

Breaking into IT doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I’ve narrowed it down to three key steps that will help you get started quickly and land your first IT job.

1. Certifications That Move the Needle ( Job Ready )

When thinking about certifications.

I want you to consider, certifications that align to a role in IT. The most notable certifications are:

CCNA - for networking roles

Security+ - for cybersecurity roles

Comptia A+ - for desktop and IT support roles

AWS or Azure - for cloud roles, aim for the entry level ones to begin with

These certifications can help you transition into the IT industry.

They can also be obtained faster that a degree for example.

I always say

"If you have the time, a degree is nice. If your short on time, I would try a certification first".

2. Gain Hands-On Experience (Even Without a Job)

Many times we may have opportunities to get experience that we may not be aware of.

After getting your certification from step one. Now we need to find ways to apply what we have learned. This will get us some real world experience to add to our resume. Some ways to get experience are:

Home Labs: Physical equipment or software based. This is our playground where we can break and fix and learn all in one.

Freelance or Volunteer: Help local businesses with their tech issues. Let friends and family know that you are offering your computer services. Become the go to IT guy in your town.

Gig Apps: Like Doordash and uber, their are also apps for tech jobs. One that I've had my eyes on is field nation. They offer many jobs that may be in your area.

Internships / Apprenticeships: Most of these are done for free. In return you get to add the job as experience on your resume. If your in a school, a lot of times the IT department will get students to work for them and get paid. This way the student leaves with work experience and a two year degree.

3. Apply for Jobs

Applying for jobs can sometimes feel like a numbers game.

This is often because we may be applying for the wrong roles. When applying we want to target roles that are suited for a beginner. Some of those roles are:

IT Support / Helpdesk

Desktop Support / Technical Support

Network Technician / Admin / Analyst

Cloud Support Associate

You don’t need to meet every job requirement! If you match a couple of key skills, apply anyway. Many companies are willing to train motivated candidates.

WHAT’S ON MY DESK:

Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by the Cisco Learning Network Podcast.

That episode was released this week. It was an honor to be a guest on their podcast. As most of you know, Cisco has been a big factor in my journey.

The episode is on all podcasting platforms.

To hear the episode click here

AMBITION:

CCNA + Job Hunting

You put in the work, passed your CCNA, and now you’re wondering what’s next. The job search can feel overwhelming, especially with no experience, but don’t worry—I got you! In this video, I’ll break down everything you need to land your first IT job, even if you’re starting from scratch.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Video:

✅ Where to Find Entry-Level Networking Jobs (Best job boards, recruiters, and hidden opportunities)

✅ Top IT & Networking Roles to Apply For (Help Desk, NOC Tech, Junior Network Engineer & more)

✅ How to Make Your Resume Stand Out (Highlight CCNA skills, optimize for ATS, and showcase home labs)

✅ How to Gain Experience Without a Job (Freelancing, home labs, and volunteering)

✅ Proven Strategies to Land Interviews Faster (Networking, LinkedIn hacks, and application tips)

See You Next Week

-Mike