I sat down with Scott Robohn, co-founder of the Network Automation Forum, to break down what it actually takes to stay relevant in network engineering today.

I've focused mostly on the IT Career Accelerator lately, but I wanted to bring these individual sessions back for a few days. If you need direct feedback on your resume, job search strategy, or next tech move, grab a 30-minute spot before Friday.

Book a session here: https://www.rfr.bz/bff600ae4

Passive video watching does not build CCNA skills or retention. It creates a false sense of progress that fails the moment you open a blank lab topology or sit for the exam.

Stop wasting money and learn the 4-part study stack that works. youtu.be/TUcRTIYNb44

My homelab fan noise is ruining my studio audio. Open racks are officially dead to me.

I need a solid soundproof rack that kills decibels without baking my switches.

Who makes a quiet server rack that actually works? What are you running?

Well that's a wrap on Cisco Live 2026!!! What an amazing week. I got to see many great friends, made new ones, learned a lot and hosted my second talk too! I've been releasing tons of content this week. Some in the best is yet to come. So stay tuned... #CiscoLive #CiscoCommunity #CiscoInsider

Who's ready to kick off Day 2 of Cisco live!!! #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

Cisco live is all about the people you need. Some of the smartest minds in networking in cyber security here. #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

Who's ready for day one of Cisco live 2026? #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

Got early backstage access to the show floor. There's going to be some amazing stuff coming this week. #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

Seeing all the familiar faces is seriously one of the best parts of Cisco live #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

Starting of the week of selfies with the legend him self! Thank you @davidbombal for being such a great inspiration. #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Cisco

It's that time again!!! #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunityag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsiderhtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampionsag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026tag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Cisco #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunityag/CiscoCommunity" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoCommunity #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsiderhtag/CiscoInsider" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoInsider #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampionsag/CiscoChampions" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoChampions #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Ciscof="/hashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLivehashtag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026tag/CiscoLive2026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#CiscoLive2026 #Ciscof="/hashtag/Cisco" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#Cisco

Guess where I'm at?

Looking for people who want to share practical advice to help the next generation level up. I am booking 20-to-30-minute slots during the event.
Send me a direct message if you want to connect in Vegas.

#CiscoLive #NetworkEngineering #TechCareers #ITCareerPodcast Cisco Insider

Every month, we cap our 1-on-1 coaching to just 10 new members. Why? Because a "Done-For-You" resume rebuild takes real time and effort from our coaches.

We don't do "open enrollment" because we care more about your success rate than our member count.

For $99/month, you get a dedicated IT pro in your corner.

They rewrite your resume.
They optimize your LinkedIn.
They give you the exact scripts to negotiate an extra $3k–$8k on your offer.

The catch? We only have 10 spots available this month.

We just opened applications for our 1-on-1 Premium+ Coaching. It’s designed for one thing: getting you hired in your first IT role in the next 90 days.

👉 https://www.rfr.bz/b9439a2

Vegas is calling! #CiscoLive2026 is just around the corner.

I’m hyped for the sessions, the labs, and honestly… meeting up and hanging out with some amazing people in person.

Are you Team In-Person or Team Digital this year?

Something fun is coming to The Bearded I.T. Dad YouTube channel.

I’m bringing back daily quizzes Monday through Friday.

Some days will test your knowledge of the tech industry. Other days will challenge what you know about building and growing a career in tech.

https://www.rfr.bz/bb5620c

Finally, a SOC analyst certification that actually feels entry-level.

If you are trying to break into cybersecurity, build hands-on skills, and get something you can actually talk about in interviews, this video is for you.

Watch here: https://www.rfr.bz/bbe91be

Hot take:
Certifications don’t get you hired.

Proof does.

If you’ve been stacking certs and still can’t get interviews, you might be stuck in the Cert Trap.

We break down:
• Certified vs hireable
• What hiring managers actually look for
• A 30-day escape plan

Watch → https://www.rfr.

Going live in 1 hour for live LinkedIn profile reviews.

The first 20 spots filled up fast, but if you missed out, do not worry. I’ll be opening submissions back up during the livestream, so you will still have a chance to get your profile reviewed live.

6 PM PST:
https://www.rfr.bz/b76ceba

The first 20 LinkedIn profile review spots filled up last night.

If you missed that first round, do not worry. I’ll be opening submissions again during the livestream, so you will still have a chance to get your profile reviewed live.

Tonight at 6 PM PST:
https://www.rfr.bz/bc051cb

I’m doing live LinkedIn profile reviews tomorrow.

I opened 20 early submission spots tonight, but if you miss them, don’t worry. You’ll still have a chance to submit your LinkedIn live during the stream.

Submit here: https://www.rfr.bz/b7aad6a

Join tomorrow at 6 PM PST:
https://www.rfr.bz/

My latest guest flipped a coin to decide his future.

That decision led to a successful tech career.

Most people wait for certainty.
Careers usually reward movement instead.

Full episode 👇
https://www.rfr.bz/bbb48d6