Debt Free In IT w/ Mike
Episodes
196 episodes
From Nurse to IT: Healthcare Roles That Transition Into Tech
Hospitals are full of people who aren't in the IT department but are one move away from it.In this episode, I break down three IT roles in healthcare that people move into from non-IT jobs. They go from working in a department to suppor...
Remote vs On-Site IT Jobs: Which Should You Take First?
Everyone breaking into IT wants the remote job but is that actually the right move when you're just starting out? In this episode I break down the real case for on-site vs remote support roles when you're brand new to the fie...
Help Desk vs Call Center: What's the Difference?
Everyone says a call center job is how you break into IT. I spent a couple of months in one and I still don't count it as my first IT job here's why, plus how to tell whether a "help desk" posting is really a help desk or a call center wearing ...
If You Haven't Started in IT Yet, You Believe at Least One of These
Before I got into IT, I worked in a call center doing tech support. Every call was timed. The time between calls was timed. Bathroom breaks were timed. That was my only reference point for what a job looked like so that's what I assumed IT woul...
Is Networking Still Worth Learning in 2026?
Is networking still worth learning in 2026? Short answer: yes but it's not the same job it was five years ago.AI isn't replacing network engineers. What it did was split the career into two paths: traditi...
Passed Your IT Certification But Can't Get Hired? 4 Reasons Why
You passed the certification. So why isn't anybody calling you back?If you've got the cert, updated the resume, and you've been applying for weeks with nothing but silence — you're not doing anything wrong as a person. But something in ...
Where Should You Start Your IT Career? Small, Midsize, or Enterprise
Same title. Totally different job.A network tech at a 50-person company and a network tech at a Fortune 500 can do completely different work for completely different money. The variable most people ignore: company size.Why it ma...
Is the CompTIA A+ Still Worth It in 2026?
The CompTIA A+ has been the default first certification in IT for decades. But in 2026 it'll run you over $600 to get certified and I've got some thoughts on whether that still makes sense.In this episode I break down what the A+ actual...
Just Apply: You're More Qualified Than You Think
You said you'd start applying once you finished the class. Then it was the cert. Then the second cert.That list never gets shorter and somebody with less on paper than you is getting hired right now.I got my first IT job b...
I Worked 3 IT Jobs, Here's Where AI Would've Saved Me
The daily tasks from three IT roles I actually worked — help desk, desktop support, and networking — and where AI would've made me faster in each one. Not a video about AI taking your job. A video about AI taking the worst parts of it.T...
7 Money Moves to Make When You Get Into IT
The financial and career moves that build a real foundation early in an IT career — hard-earned hindsight on what to prioritize once you land that first job.The 7 moves:1️⃣ Negotiate — even early on, always ask2️⃣ Get your retir...
How I Would Go from Minimum Wage to $40/hr in Tech
If you're making $15/hr right now and want to know how to get to $40/hr or more in IT — this episode breaks down exactly how I would do it.We cover:✅ The IT skills and certifications that actually get you to $40/hr✅ How to study for...
Is CCNA Still Worth It in 2026? Here's My Argument
The networking community has been debating this hard — especially with the new CCNA update dropping in February 2027.After covering the CCNA v2.0 update last episode, I kept seeing the same questions pop up:❓ Is the CCNA still w...
Nothing Was the Same: Breaking Down the CCNA v2.0 Update
Cisco is updating the 200-301 to version 2.0 — and if you're studying right now, this video is for you.Why it matters: The CCNA is the most recognized entry-level networking cert in the industry. When it changes, you pay attention.<...
School Daze: Should You Go to WGU?
Are you stuck at a crossroads in your career — knowing you want to level up but not sure if going back to school is the move? Maybe a job you've been eyeing requires a four-year degree and you're wondering if WGU is the answer.In this e...
Network Engineer vs Network Administrator: What’s the Difference
What’s the difference between a Network Administrator and a Network Engineer?If you’re trying to get into networking, you’ve probably seen both job titles and wondered which one is right for you. In this episode, I break down the key di...
Ranking the Most Popular IT Certifications (2026)
In today’s episode, I’m ranking some of the most common certifications people use to transition into tech. I’m putting each certification into a tier based on its return on investment, industry recognition, marketability, and how useful I think...
The 7 Laws of the IT Industry
In today’s episode of Debt Free in IT, I’m giving you my 7 Laws of the IT Industry — lessons I’ve learned throughout my years working in tech.Some of these lessons I learned the hard way, some from mentors and coworkers, and some just f...
The $120K Cyber Job Nobody Talks About (Network Security Engineer)
Everyone talks about GRC, CISA, and Security+ — but nobody mentions the Network Security Engineer role that quietly pays $120K–$150K. If you want a path into cybersecurity with real demand and serious salary upside, this is the lane most people...
Help Desk Tips I Learned Over 10 Years in IT (Do This From Day 1)
Stuck on the help desk and wondering how to stand out and move up? These 6 help desk tips come from watching the best techs I know climb the ladder — different paths, same habits. Use them to get noticed and earn your shot at the team you actua...
You're Closer Than You Think: How Your Current Job Already Transfers Into IT
Think IT is out of reach because you don't have a tech background? You're closer than you think. In this episode, I break down how the everyday jobs you've already worked — retail, customer service, healthcare, trades — are quietly preparing yo...
Fork in the Road: Choosing Between A+, Network+, and Security+
This episode came straight from a listener question. They're currently a truck driver looking to transition into IT — and they wanted to know whether to start with A+, Network+, or Security+, and if they even need all three.Honestly? It's o...
The IT Skills Companies Are Paying More For in 2026 (Robert Half Salary Review Guide)
If you're trying to break into IT or level up your career, the 2026 Robert Half Salary Guide tells you exactly what companies are hiring for, what skills they're paying more for, and where the real opportunities are right now — and in this vide...
Leveling Up in IT: Why Your Team is Everything
In today’s episode, I talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in IT…The value of your team.A lot of people focus on certifications, resumes, and landing that next job—but what really determines how fast you grow i...
Best Tech Jobs for Introverts (After Help Desk)
If you’re trying to get into IT but you’re more introverted, this episode is for you.A lot of people start their IT careers in roles like help desk or desktop support and quickly feel drained. The constant conversations, dealing with fr...
