⚡ Quick Wins for Your IT Career

Author

Michael Bowden
March 22, 2025

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THE_LOG_FILES#SHOW LOG

IN TODAYS EMAIL:

  • CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS TO WATCH: Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) – IT Support

  • RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: 🧠 Free Cisco Training

  • MY WAY: Python vs. Cloud for New Network Engineers

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS TO WATCH:

Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) – IT Support

You’ve heard of CCST Networking and CCST Cybersecurity—now get ready for the newest addition:

👉 Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) – IT Support

This is the third CCST cert aimed at beginners and career switchers. Here’s what you need to know:

💰 Cost: $125

Same as the other CCST exams.

🧠 Exam Basics:

• 50-minute test

• No prerequisites

• Perfect for beginners, career changers, or current support pros

• Available online or at a testing center

📚 What It Covers:

• IT support job roles

• Hardware & OS troubleshooting

• Network connectivity

• End-user tools (ticketing systems, etc.)

• Threats & prevention

🔥 Real-world skills that match real-world jobs. This helps shrink your learning curve before you land that first role.

🎯 Who It’s For:

• 📥 Career changers entering tech

• 🔧 Current help desk or support staff leveling up

• 🎯 Job seekers trying to stand out

• 🎓 Students planning their IT path

📖 Study Prep:

Official Cert Guide Here

💡 Why It Matters:

You don’t need this to land a job—but it can make it easier.

Just like CCST Networking & Cybersecurity, this is a stepping stone to higher-level certs like CCNA or CyberOps Associate.

🎤 Bottom Line:

This cert = career confidence.

It shows you’re serious, sharp, and support-ready.

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:

🧠 Free Cisco Training

✅ Learn the basics of:

• Networking

• Cybersecurity

• Python

🎯 Perfect for beginners, career switchers, or anyone prepping for CCNA or CCST.

💥 100% free. Self-paced. Cert-aligned.

MY WAY:

🎧 Python vs. Cloud for New Network Engineers

💬 A listener asked:

“What’s more important—Python or Cloud?”

Let’s break it down.

🔍 In this episode:

• Old-school vs. modern network engineer roles

• Why Python matters for automation

• Why Cloud skills are non-negotiable

• Where beginners should focus first

✅ Whether you’re starting fresh or leveling up, this is your roadmap.

🔥 Listen now + get clarity on your next move.

#DebtFreeInIT #NetworkEngineer #TechCareer