Debt Free In IT w/ Mike
Episodes
177 episodes
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...
CCNP Update: Wireless Is Gone
Cisco just made a major change to the CCNP Enterprise certification… and it might actually make me consider taking it again.In this episode, we break down the latest updates to the CCNP ENCOR blueprint, including the removal of wireless...
Why Starting at the Bottom Helped My IT Career
In this episode, I talk about the power of starting at the bottom in IT and why it can actually make your career easier in the long run.When many of us get certifications or degrees, we expect to jump straight into high-level roles. But...
Epic Certifications: The Hidden IT Career in Healthcare
In my last episode about hidden jobs in IT, I ranked healthcare as the #1 industry.During that episode, I mentioned something most people in tech have never heard of… Epic certifications.In this video, I break down:•What Epi...
My Top 7 Places to Find IT Jobs in Your City
In this episode, I break down my Top 7 places to find IT jobs in your city — especially if you don’t live near a big tech hub.A lot of people think you need to work for a flashy tech company to have a real IT career. That’s not true. So...
Bootcamps Are a Scam… Or Are They?
Are bootcamps a scam… or are they a shortcut to breaking into tech faster?In today’s episode, I’m breaking down both sides of the bootcamp debate.Some people say bootcamps changed their life.Others say they wasted their mone...
IT Contract Jobs: 3 Advantages & 3 Disadvantages
Should you take a contract job in IT?In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener question:“I’ve been looking at contract roles… what are your thoughts?”Contract roles can look attractive — especially with higher hourly pay ...
Biggest Mistakes After Passing CCNA
Why do so many people struggle after passing CCNA?In today’s episode, I break down the biggest mistakes people make after earning their CCNA — mistakes that slow down their job search, kill momentum, and lead to unnecessary frustration....
Why Most People Quit IT Too Early
Why do so many people quit IT too early?In today’s episode, I break down the real reasons why people give up on their IT journey — sometimes before they even get their first tech job.If you’re transitioning into tech, stuck in h...
Welcome to the Call Center: Your First Tech Role
Today’s episode comes from a listener question.They asked if I could do a story-time episode about my experience working in a call center and how everything worked out. They mentioned they’ve been in a call center for about a year, want...
Top Tech Skills for 2026
Top Tech Skills to Learn in 2026 (AI, Cloud, Linux, Automation & More)Welcome to Debt Free in IT — I’m your host, Mike.This channel is for anyone looking to get into the IT industry, whether you’re making a career change, le...
New Year, New Me!: Goals for 2026
Setting Goals for 2026 | Focus, Discipline & One Lane at a TimeIn today’s episode, I’m breaking down how I’m approaching goal setting for 2026 — and why this year is all about focus over overload.If you’ve followed my conten...
Better Late Than Never | My 2025 Podcast Review
This episode is my 2025 podcast review.Every year, this is one of my favorite episodes to record because it gives me a chance to go behind the scenes and talk honestly about the ins and outs of the podcast — the wins, the growth, the ch...
Fall Down Once, Get Up Twice | Cisco Exam Safeguard
Preparing for an IT certification takes time, money, and consistency—and sometimes, even after doing everything right, you can still fall short by just a few points.If you’ve ever studied hard for a certification exam, only to fail and ...
Never Too Late: Starting Your IT Career at 41
Today’s episode comes straight from a listener question:They’re 41 years old, thinking about entering the tech field, starting a bootcamp soon, and wanted my honest opinion about beginning an IT career at their age — and what I think about ...
Why IT Certifications STILL Matter in 2025 (The Truth You Need to Hear)
Today we’re taking a real-world look at IT certifications—what they actually do for your career, why they’re still valuable, and how they can help you break into tech or level up into a better role. Certifications don’t guarantee you a job, but...
AI Certs You NEED To Know About
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the AI certifications you should be looking at. If you’re trying to get into IT, level up your skills, or stay relevant as AI continues to change the tech world, these certs will help you get ahead....
The 5 Most Common CCNA Questions
In this episode, I answer the top five questions I get about the CCNA certification.If you’re trying to figure out the best path — CCNA, Network+, or CCST — this video will help you choose what’s right for you.⸻What I Cover:...
The 5 Habits of Every Successful IT Professional
What separates the top IT pros from the rest? It’s not luck — it’s habits. 💡In this episode, I’m breaking down The 5 Habits of Every Successful IT Professional — the mindset and skills that keep them growing, relevant, and respected in ...
