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Is the CompTIA A+ Still Worth It in 2026?

Send us Fan Mail 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+ actually is, who it's built for, what the exams really cost, and what else that same money could buy you. Then I give you my honest recommendation. ✅ What the A+ is and the jobs it can get you ✅ Who this certification is really built for ✅ The tru...

Recent Video Episodes

Is the CompTIA A+ Still Worth It in 2026?
Aug. 6, 2026

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+ actually is, who it's built for, what the exams really cost, and what else that same money could buy you. Then I give you my honest recommendation. ✅ What the A+ is and the jobs it can get you ✅ Who this certification is really built for ✅ The true cost — two exams,
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Why Your Certification Isn't Getting You Hired
Aug. 4, 2026

Why Your Certification Isn't Getting You Hired

You passed the certification, you're applying, and you're still not getting hired. Here's what's actually happening: the cert gets you the interview it doesn't get you the job. In this video I break down why an IT certification opens the door but doesn't walk you through it, what happens once you're in that interview room, and why I got my first IT role in computer operations even though the posting never asked for a CCNA. If you can't answer the basics DHCP, DNS, TCP the cert on your resume wo
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Just Apply: You're More Qualified Than You Think
July 30, 2026

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 by applying to anything with the word "computer" in the title. I didn't know what a computer operations role even was. That job started my whole career. In this one: Why waiting for everything to line up means you never start How to read a job description and why companie
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I Worked 3 IT Jobs, Here's Where AI Would've Saved Me
July 23, 2026

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. The 7 use cases: 1️⃣ Knowledge base search — describe the issue, get the fix 2️⃣ Ticket documentation — write-ups in seconds 3️⃣ Outage emails — drafted and out the door 4️⃣ Script creation — AI writes it, you review it 5️⃣ Error code lookup — no more 10 pages of
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The 2 Money Habits That Protect (and Grow) Your IT Career
July 22, 2026

The 2 Money Habits That Protect (and Grow) Your IT Career

Two money habits I wish I locked in earlier in my career — one protects the money you're already making, the other builds your leverage for what's next. A personal story on how fast lifestyle creep can sneak up on you, plus why documenting your wins on the job matters more than most people realize. Full episode, "7 Money Moves to Make When You Get Into IT," linked below. ⸻ 🛒 My Amazon Store: Books + gear to level up in tech: 👉 https://www.amazon.com/shop/debtfreeinitwmike 📬 The Log Files New
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7 Money Moves to Make When You Get Into IT
July 16, 2026

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 ask 2️⃣ Get your retirement match — free money from day one 3️⃣ Build an emergency fund — your safety net 4️⃣ Open a Roth IRA — start compounding early 5️⃣ Watch lifestyle creep — protect your raises 6️⃣ Track your wins — build leverage for next time 7️⃣ Consider job hopping — cash in that
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Recent Blog Posts

How to Go From $15 an Hour to $40 an Hour in IT (No Degree Required)
July 9, 2026

How to Go From $15 an Hour to $40 an Hour in IT (No Degree Required)

If you're stuck in a $15-an-hour job and wondering whether a career in IT can actually change your income, the answer is yes — and it doesn't require a four-year degree. With the right skill, the right certification, and a consistent plan, you can r…
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Why Starting at the Bottom Helped My IT Career
March 6, 2026

Why Starting at the Bottom Helped My IT Career

Many people enter the IT industry expecting to jump straight into high-level roles. You get a certification. Maybe you earn a degree. Then you expect to become a network engineer, cloud engineer, or cybersecurity analyst immediately. But f…
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How to Set Your Goals for 2025
Jan. 5, 2025

How to Set Your Goals for 2025

How to Set Your Goals for 2025 Start the Year Off Right It's been almost 5 years, since I bought my first planner and wrote out my goals for the year. Me doing this didn't mean that, now everything I wrote down I would achieve. What…
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