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Too Old for IT? Why Networking & CCST Prove Age Doesn’t Matter

Author

Michael Bowden
September 13, 2025

THE_LOG_FILES#SHOW LOG

IN TODAYS EMAIL:

  • Latest News: ☁️ Oracle & OpenAI Ink $300B Cloud Deal

  • Practical Advice and Actionable Tips: 😶‍🌫️ Impostor Syndrome in IT: Why You Stay Quiet in Meetings

  • Resource of the Week: My Amazon Store

  • Latest Episode: CCST or Cloud? The Best Path to Start Your IT Career

INDUSTRY TRENDS & NEWS:

☁️ Oracle & OpenAI Ink $300B Cloud Deal

💻 The Ping

One of the biggest cloud deals in history just landed: Oracle and OpenAI have signed a $300 billion agreement to power the next generation of AI infrastructure.

📑 The Log

Here’s what you need to know:

  • OpenAI will purchase $300B of compute capacity from Oracle over five years, starting around 2027.

  • The project is part of Project Stargate, a mega-initiative to expand AI data centers and infrastructure.

  • Oracle will deliver 4.5 gigawatts of data center power capacity to support this build-out.

  • Oracle stock surged after the announcement — showing how AI demand is reshaping the cloud market.

  • This deal signals OpenAI isn’t betting solely on Microsoft Azure anymore — Oracle is now a heavyweight player in AI cloud.

🗂️ Check the Log File

This isn’t just a business headline — it’s a career signal. Massive demand is coming for IT pros skilled in:

  • Data center design & operations

  • Cloud infrastructure scaling

  • GPU management & optimization

  • Power and cooling efficiency

⌨️ The Command Line

Run this command: If you’re eyeing the future of IT, start adding cloud + AI infrastructure skills to your toolkit. Certifications like OCI, Azure, or AWS Advanced Networking will pay off.

ADVICE AND TIPS:

😶‍🌫️ Impostor Syndrome in IT: Why You Stay Quiet in Meetings

💻 The Ping

Ever sat in a meeting with the answer in your head — but stayed quiet out of fear of being wrong? That’s impostor syndrome. Every IT pro goes through it, and it can hold you back from speaking up, growing, and taking on bigger roles.

📑 The Log

Here are the main causes (and fixes) for impostor syndrome in IT:

  • Self-doubt → You know the solution but second-guess yourself.

  • Fear of exposure → Worrying teammates will think you don’t belong.

  • Constant comparison → Measuring yourself against senior coworkers instead of focusing on your growth.

  • Reluctance to seek help → Not asking questions when you should.

How to push back:

  • Set realistic goals → Break big ones into smaller wins that build confidence.

  • Normalize failure → Mistakes = learning opportunities.

  • Seek feedback → From teammates, mentors, and managers.

  • Invest in professional development → Certs, labs, or skill-building that prove to you (and others) you’re leveling up.

🗂️ Check the Log File

Confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you “know it all.” It comes from taking action, failing forward, and stacking wins until your voice belongs at the table — because it always did.

⌨️ The Command Line

Run this command: Ask one teammate or mentor for feedback this week. It’s the fastest way to shrink impostor syndrome and grow your confidence.

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:

🛒 My Amazon Store

Books + gear to level up in tech:

RECENT EPISODE:

CCST or Cloud? The Best Path to Start Your IT Career

🔌 Age Isn’t a Barrier — Networking Still Builds the Strongest Foundation

💻 The Ping

Age is not a barrier in tech — skills are. Whether you’re 23 or 53, networking remains one of the best starting points. And the CCST certification can give you the confidence to grow before moving into CCNA, cloud, or cybersecurity.

📑 The Log

Here’s what I break down this week:

  • Age is NOT a barrier → Employers care about skills and problem-solving, not your birth year.

  • Why CCST matters → A smart starting point to learn networking basics and build confidence.

  • Networking = foundation → Every cloud and cybersecurity job relies on strong networking knowledge.

  • The roadmap → After CCST, explore CCNA, Network+, Cloud+, AWS, Azure, or Linux.

  • Cloud vs. networking → How to decide your next step if you’re torn between the two.

🗂️ Check the Log File

Don’t skip the fundamentals. Networking is the backbone of IT, and certs like the CCST give you momentum while opening doors to cloud and security.

⌨️ The Command Line

Run this command: If you’re new to IT, pick one entry-level networking cert (like CCST) and commit to finishing it within 90 days.