Embracing Career Change and NY Resolutions

Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, contemplating if it’s too late to pivot your career towards your true passion? Professor JRod joins us to share his own enlightening transition into IT, proving it’s never too late to teach old dogs new tricks. Facing down ageism and the haunting specter of being 'overqualified', Jay Rod's narrative is one of courage and the pursuit of a fulfilling career in guiding aspiring IT professionals. His story isn't just about change; it's an homage to the power of belief and the incredible support that can come from unexpected places. It’s a conversation that will leave you inspired, equipped with the confidence to take that leap of faith you've been dreaming about.

Curious about what the CompTIA A+ certification can do for your tech career? We've got that covered too. Professor Jay Rod breaks down the weight this certification carries within the industry and why it’s a golden ticket in the global IT landscape. From London to Los Angeles, this certification is your key to unlocking advanced career opportunities. For those of you mapping out a fresh career trail, get ready for a backpack full of practical advice. We’re talking about leveraging your LinkedIn profile, networking like a pro, and why internships or volunteering can give you the edge you need. If you’re on the brink of a career transformation, this episode is your strategic companion for a journey filled with learning, growth, and self-discovery.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:28

And welcome to technology tap. I'm Professor Jay Rott in this episode. It's the end of the year, guys. Let's talk about what we're gonna do for the next year. Let's get into it, alright? Hello everyone.

Speaker 1: 1:11

While that transition went smooth, so it's the end of the year, actually for the. For those of you who are hearing me for the first time, this is technology tap and I'm Professor Jay Rod JROD. You can reach me at my email, professor Jay rod, at gmailcom. I'm on Instagram, professor Jay Rod, and I'm on LinkedIn, not LinkedIn TikTok, professor Jay Rod, also on there. I just wanted to. You know this is the end of the year, so I figured you know there's a lot of people. A happy holidays everyone, by the way.

Speaker 1: 1:50

But as the end of the year approaches, you know I know there are people out there who are thinking about making a career change. Right, they want to start 2024 with a whole new state of mind. They want to be able to go into 2024, you know, with certain goals and probably what some of the certain goals is changing your career, and I know this is tough and you know it might be a little bit of a sticky topic for some people, but I know what it's like to want to change your careers. You know, and I did it late. You know, like as everyone you know, you do it late. You, I was in my 40s when I decided to change to academia and I was actually inspired by someone who who told me that that this is what I should do, I should go and be a teacher, because she saw the potential that I have to to become an educator, and I know this. Those of you who are listening to this, who are at home wanting to do the same thing change your careers and then, but then there's certain things that you're worried about. I know one of the biggest things that I hear from people are you know how I'm gonna change my career if I'm X years old, right, especially, you know, people are over 40, over 50, who are worried am I gonna get hired by somebody? If I'm, you know, if I'm that old and I gotta be honest with you age there is an age or ageism discrimination. I've that's has happened to me where I applied for a tech position in a well-known New York City hospital and went through the first interview, went through the second interview. It was great. The guy who's gonna be, who's the manager? He said man, everything looks great. You know, all you have to do is talk to the, to the boss, and you know she should. You know you should get approval. He said it's gonna be a piece of cake.

Speaker 1: 4:09

I went in there and the lady told me that she was gonna do me a favor. And I she looked at my resume. She goes I'm gonna do your favor. And then I stood there and I was like okay, what's the favor? She goes I'm not gonna hire you. And I'm thinking to myself, how is that a favor? And then she explained she said you know you're better than this. She said I'm looking at your resume and this job that you reply for is not for you. You need to be in a higher level position. She says, you know, there's just, it's just a different skill set that I'm looking for at this, at this job, and you're past it.

Speaker 1: 4:56

So in a way I felt, you know, kind of proud because you know it kind of gave me the, you know the, the, the knowledge that the jobs that I'm playing for, the jobs that I'm interviewing for, you know our maybe not jobs for me, as far as the level that I'm at, right, because sometimes you don't have confidence. You know, I didn't have that much confidence at that time that I could do I. You know that I can do more than what I thought I could. Right, I always thought, oh yeah, this is what I could do. I can't do more than this. Turns out that I could and that's what. So her telling me that Kind of inspired me. It says you know what? I'm not gonna apply for these type of jobs anymore. I'm actually gonna apply for jobs that are higher, jobs that have more responsibility, jobs that pay more. Those were the jobs that I would. I decided that I was gonna apply.

Speaker 1: 5:59

Fortunately I I met someone teacher of mine who told me that you know, my, the best way to go is to go through academia. And I started just teaching. You know, come to your classes a security plus, a plus right. And then I went to. I Was a long-term New York City public schools substitute teacher. I taught the third grade and Then I graduated and then this was the last six months of me attending Getting my master's in cyber. So I taught a plus. I thought I was long-term sub New York City, I was teaching third graders and Then I went and became.

Speaker 1: 6:54

I got a job at Lincoln Tech, part-time during the day, again teaching a plus, and I kind of Realized I kind of had a knack for it when I got 13 out of the 17 students but I had to pass the a plus. It was so, it was. So. You know, there were other teachers were so upset that I got 13 out of 17 that they wrote an email to the, to the head of the school, accusing me of of Teaching the students how to cheat. They were like there's no way he got 13 out of 17 and I did. It's just by studying and being aggressive and and believing in them, you know, and motivating them. Right, you know, it's it. It does a lot when, when you have somebody who believes in you, as opposed to somebody who's just sitting there and Saying, okay, did you do this? Oh, you didn't do it, okay next, you know it's a big difference, right, it's just I find that if the students like you, they'll do almost anything to you know, to keep you happy, you know to to you know, have that that relationship with you. So I worked there and I also Got a job at this other school Teaching security plus on the weekends, and then I went and had junked at the school that I graduated from, they let me teach a couple of classes.

Speaker 1: 8:32

So I was running around all day and then I did that for like a year and then, you know, I decided I needed to get a like a full-time job with benefits and stuff, now that I wasn't making good money. I was, you know, running around and all day Was still making good money, but I just wanted a job with benefits and stuff. So you know, that's important to have became a high school teacher and and Newark loved that place. Shout out to my students in Newark. Then I applied for my current job as an adjunct and when I got there they said hey, we have a full-time position open, you should apply. I applied and it was a long process. I got it. You know, I just made, I just got tenure. So it's. You know it's been a very, very humbling experience Doing what I do, but you know I want to let you guys know that you guys can do it too, right, you know. So I wanted to shed a light on a pitiful step in your professional journey.

Speaker 1: 9:44

Right and this is all those people who want to take the comp T exams Right in the ever evolving landscape of technology where proficient and versatility are paramount. The comp T certifications Stands up as a beacon of recognition and opportunity. First and foremost, the comp T certification, specifically the a plus exam, serves as a Fund foundational pillar in the realm of IT. It covers a broad spectrum of essential skills and knowledge, providing a comprehensive understanding of hardware, software, networking, security and more. This ensures that you don't just specialize in one area, but rather you become a well-rounded IT professional capable of handling diverse changes. The certification is not confined to theoretical knowledge. It is practical, hands-on and immediately applicable. It equips you with the skills needed to troubleshoot, problem solve and address real-world issues. This hands-on experience is invaluable. At is not only builds confidence in your ability In your ability but also makes you an asset in any IT environment and a fast-paced world of technology.

Speaker 1: 10:56

Staying current is not negotiable. The comp T a plus certification is not a static achievement. It evolves within the industry. By pursuing and maintaining this certification, you demonstrated your commitment to stay in the brass of the latest trends and technologies. This commitment is a testament to your dedication to continue learning, a Quality highly valued in the dynamic field of IT. However, the CompTIA certification is globally recognized. It is not bound by geographical constraints Shout out to my people in London. Rather, it opens doors to opportunity on a global scale.

Speaker 1: 11:40

Whenever you're seeking employment, aiming for career investment or concentrating a shift in a different sector, within IT, this certification acts as a universal language that speaks to your competence and expertise. The A-plus certification is the key differentiator in a competitive job market. Employers actively seek professionals who hold the certification, as is the short of them, of your foundational knowledge and practical skills. It serves as a stamp of approval, signalling to employers that you have what it takes to excel in various IT roles. Furthermore, the certification is stepping stone to advanced certifications. It lays the groundwork for your future growth in specialized areas of IT. Whether you're interested in network cybersecurity or systems administrator, the A-plus certification provides a solid base upon what you can build and specialize, opening doors to higher level certifications and career advancements. If you're having second thoughts about taking the CompTIA course or the CompTIA exam, the A-plus hopefully I gave you motivation for that, even if you're doing a career change.

Speaker 1: 13:07

Embarking on a career change is a courageous and transformative decision. It's a journey that requires self-reflection, planning and resistance. Whatever you're seeking a change for personal fulfillment, increased job satisfaction or financial growth here are some steps to guide you through the process of changing careers. Self-reflection is number one. Identify your motivations. Understand why you want to change careers. Is it a desire for new challenges, a passion you want to pursue or a need for a better work-life balance? Assess your skills and interests. Take stock of your current skills, strengths and interests. Consider what you enjoy doing in your free time and where your natural talents lie Research and exploitation. Explore new industries, research industries and roles that align with your skills and interests. Attend industry events, webinars and networking sessions to gain insight. Informational interviews Reach out to professionals in the field that you are interested in. Conduct informational interviews to understand the day-to-day realities of the job and the industry culture.

Speaker 1: 14:26

Skill assessments and gap analysis Identify your transferable skills. Identify which skills from your current career are transferable to your desired field. Skill development Identify any gaps in your skill and explore opportunities for training, certification or additional education to bridge those gaps. People think just because they work in one field that they don't transfer to IT, but there's a lot of soft skills that you have acquired the ability to go to work on time, not being late, write a professional email, being able to communicate with people that's a big part of IT, so that's a transferable skill that you have. You could be working in hospitality, but if you have those skills, they translate over to IT.

Speaker 1: 15:20

Networking Build a professional network. Connect with professionals in your target industry through networking events, social media and professional organizations. Mentorship Seek out mentors who provide guidance and advice based on their own career change experiences. Next, update your resume and online presence. This is a big one, guys, that I kind of talk to my students about constantly Tailor your resume. Highlight relevant skills and experience from your current and past roles that are applicable to your new career LinkedIn profile. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your career change goals. Connect with professionals in your target industry. That's a big one, guys. If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, why not Get one and update it? Update it with your accomplishments, even the little ones. Believe me, people will notice I've gotten jobs through LinkedIn. People looking at my LinkedIn account, see what I can do and then contacting me Through LinkedIn. Actually and this is something that's gonna come out next year Did an interview with a company kind of like a Inspirational video that's gonna come out next year with a company because they saw my LinkedIn profile. So you know you can this. You can do it. Build a nice, decent LinkedIn profile. Take a look at mine, see what mine looks like and you know you can do that. You know and follow me. Follow me Again.

Speaker 1: 17:04

Practical experience internship or volunteering consider internship or volunteer opportunities In your desired field to gain experience and make valuable connections. Freelancing explore freelancing opportunities to build a portfolio and demonstrate your skill. Job search and applications targeted applications tailor your job applications to highlight how your existing skills are revelant to the new role. Utilize job boards and networking platforms. Use online boards and professional network platforms To explore job opportunities. Linkedin is always there's always people saying, oh, I'm hiring, I'm hiring or my job is hiring.

Speaker 1: 17:45

Prepare for interviews behavior Interviews be prepared to discuss how your past experience make you a good fit for the new role and show enthusiasm. Demonstrate your passion for the new industry and your commitment to your career change. Be patient. Understand the learning curve. Recognize that they may be a learning curve in your transition to your new career. Job hunting and career transition can be challenging. Stay tough and learn from setbacks. Seek professional guidance Career counselors consider seeking guidance from career counselors who provide personalized advice and support. Remember changing careers is a process, not an overnight transformation. Stay focused on your goals and be adaptable and embrace the opportunity that come with your newfound path. Best of luck on your journey. Right, this more stuff that I can read on why? Right, why you want to change your careers? Right there's. People have the different reasons Personal fulfillment pursuing a career line which are passion and interest, can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, and your work you might, even though you might not make money right.

Speaker 1: 19:18

Professional growth changing careers often involves in acquiring new skills and knowledge Leading, leading to continuous professional development and growth. Increased job satisfaction A career change allows you to escape from a job that may have become Tannis or unfulfilling, leading to increase job satisfaction and motivation. Broader skill set transitioning to a new career often requires learning new skills. This broadens your skill set and makes you a more versatile and adaptable. Professional Expanded network changing career exposes you to new professional network Networking in a different industry can open doors to opportunities and valuable connections, and that is true. I have met so many nice people who are teachers and cyber there and they could not be any nicer to me. Then I mean it's amazing how, how you can meet and expand your network and get an opportunity to work with these people. So and it's not only in academia, it's everywhere improved work life balance, a career change might offer the chance to find a role or Industry that better lines with your desired work life balance, contributing to your overall well-being.

Speaker 1: 20:39

Financial opportunities, of course. Money is a big as a big big motivator. No one's gonna hide that or deny that. You know, if you can make more money, do it. Some career changes come with the potential for increased earning potential. Transitioning to a field with a higher demand for your skills can lead to better financial prospects, renewed passion and energy. Yeah, this is. This is a Good one, because when I first started this new career in academia and I'm still, I'm still out of you know, I still get that high right of. You know, when a new class opens or when a student tells me that you know he's, he got a certification, or you know, or he got a job, you know it's still fresh in my, in my, in my head, in my heart. Starting a new career can reignite your passions for work. The excitement of a new challenge often brings renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Speaker 1: 21:38

Adaptability successfully navigating a career change demonstrates your adaptability. Quality is highly valued in today's dynamic job market Alignment with values. Changing careers allows you to seek roles and Organizations that align with your personal beliefs and principle, creating a more meaningful professional experience, entrepreneurial opportunities. A career change may open doors to opportunity, opportunity, ventures, allowing you to explore and establish your own business or become a consultant. That hasn't happened to me yet, but I've been offered Stuff but I've turned it down and hence job security.

Speaker 1: 22:23

Acquiring skills in a high demand industry Can't contribute to an enhanced job security and increased markability. I got tenure right. That's job security right. Shout out to people my job. Diverse experiencing Experiences. Transitioning to a new career exposes you to diverse experiences, helping you build a richer and more varied professional background.

Speaker 1: 22:50

Again, it happened to me. You know being being that I was an actual technician who was translating to academia. I think really, really helped me, because the people who not a lot of people do both right, like there's not people who are, who work as a tech and Then decide to teach. They either like one or the other like, so I I bring a different perspective Into the classroom. That some of my fellow teachers is not a bad thing, it's just different, right, it's just different that they've never experienced, especially working with people and how to behave and you know the do's and don'ts of a job, plus all the stories that I have of people that did stupid things and they got fired and I can. I can Build that into my lessons and the students love my stories. They they often come back and and they say that maybe, like on an exam, they remember one of my stories and that's how they figured out what the answer was Because I got a. I got a lot of stories about people in in IT I've worked there a long time so I have a lot of stories Increased confidence.

Speaker 1: 24:11

Successfully navigating a career change builds confidence in your ability to adapt, learn and thrive in different professional environments and professional growth and learning. A Career change often involves stepping outside your comfort zone, fostering personal growth and providing continuous learning opportunities. In Essence, changing your career is a transformative journey, not only enhance your professional life, but also contributes significantly To your overall well-being and sense of purpose. You know, as you get older I Don't know about anybody else but for me, you know what's my impact in the world right and my and what I've decided that my impact in the world is Mentoring these students who and hopefully they become successful People right and they can always come back and and email me, text me, message me on LinkedIn and say, hey, professor, thank you so much. You helped me, you know, in my journey and that's something that's Priceless, guys, absolutely priceless. So hopefully these words would inspire you in 2024 to make that change Right, to decide that, yes, this, this year, is the year that I'm gonna do it.

Speaker 1: 25:45

This year is the year that I'm gonna change my job. I'm gonna take things serious. You know I'm gonna focus on this and you know this, this is what I'm gonna do and and that's what it takes right, you, you have to Be able to do that. When I tell people that I took the CompTIA exam, both exams, on a Saturday, you know the I don't know, I think it was a 901 or 801 Took the night one, the 901, I think, in the morning and then the 902 in the afternoon.

Speaker 1: 26:20

After four days of taking a bootcamp, a plus class, people are like there's no way and I'm like, yeah, there is, if you dedicate yourself. Right, I decided I was gonna dedicate that week To study, you know, to take the four classes Monday through Thursday, go home at night and study for five hours, study it all day. Friday, saturday went to both exams past Next week. I did the same thing with network plus For these of classes, boot camp, went home, 35 hours, studied all day. Friday went, saturday, took the exam. I Mean it's exhausting. I was supposed to do CCNA the following week but I didn't do it because when I only liked that class and to, I was just mentally shot Right, you can't, you know you can't Be on that high level. But hopefully you decide 2024, is it? 2024 is the year that I'm gonna make this change. Right, guys, you're gonna make this change and if you need me to help you, just let me know.

Speaker 1: 27:24

Keep listening to the podcast. You know, email me, professor J Rod, j R O D I gmailcom and you know I'll try to help you anyway. And Passing the certifications that you need now. Now I need a favor from you guys. If anybody out there is An educator like I am and create podcasts for their classroom, high school, college level, please email me, professor J rod, at gmailcom and so that you could help me with my dissertation, please. My dissertation for my doctorate degree is using podcast as a learning tool in higher education. So if anybody out there is An educational podcaster, that's what I call it an educational podcaster. Please email me, professor J rod J R O D, I gmailcom and I will send you the survey to fill out for my dissertation. So if you can help me with that, I would appreciate you all.

Speaker 1: 28:36

And, with that said, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. Be safe, let's let's bring in 2024 With a bang right. Spend time with our families. Come on to 2024, where our new goes in mind. Happy new year, happy new year. Well, that's gonna put a wrap on today's show. Thank you so much, guys. Happy new year. We'll see you next year. This has been a production of little cha cha. Productions are by Sarah music, by Jo Kim. If you like to reach me, you can reach me at professor J rod J R O D at gmailcom, or I'm also on Instagram, professor J rod, and I'm also now on tiktok at professor J rod.