By James Stanger | 50 Min Video

What are the first – and best – steps to take in your tech career? Join CompTIA’s Chief Technology Evangelist, Dr. James Stanger, as he outlines the many CompTIA career pathways available to you and the next critical steps you should take. He will discuss the CompTIA Infrastructure and Security pathways and how they can give you career-defining skills and perspectives.

James, a career-changer himself, will share insights he has gained from working with hiring managers and IT professionals worldwide. If you’re looking to get started on a career or to identify critical, new skills to advance your already-existing career, join James to gain insights gathered from his travels and discussions with IT and security hiring managers around the world.

After attending this session, you will be able to…

• Identify critical first steps on the CompTIA Infrastructure and Security pathways to take when improving your IT and security skills
• Search resources that give you vital information about in-demand job roles and that will help place you on the right career path for you
• Learn unique “future-proof” skills – what Dr. Stanger calls “skillability.”
• Evaluate criteria for upskilling opportunities and programs that are respected by hiring managers worldwide

Pathways Overview

Introducing the Infrastructure and Security certification tracks, including A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+, Linux+, Pentest+, CySA+, etc.

Guidance on which skills build a solid foundation and how they align with real-world job roles.

“Skillability” Concept

Focus on practical, job-ready skills—not just theory.

Emphasizes adaptability, problem-solving, and soft skills valued by employers.

Foundational Resources & Mentorship

Recommendations: official guides, labs, Professor Messer’s videos, practice exams, study groups.

Emphasizes mentorship and leveraging hiring-manager insights derived from global interactions.

Certification Roadmap

A+: foundation → Network+: network admin → Security+/Cloud+/Linux+: advanced career.

Encourages pairing certifications with real-world experience: internships, volunteer roles, and help desk.

Selecting Quality Upskilling Programs

Breakdown of evaluation criteria: lab quality, instructor credentials, relevance to hiring managers.

Highlights programs that effectively bridge academic theory and practical application.

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Instructor Bio:

Dr. James Stanger is a recognized authority in security analytics, penetration testing, information technology, open source, and workforce development. He is currently CompTIA’s Chief Technology Evangelist. James has consulted with organizations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of State, the Japan Ministry of Defense, Microsoft, the University of Cambridge, the Australia Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Zscaler, Oxford University, West Point, AstraZeneca, the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, DBS Bank, NCSA Thailand, the U.S. National Institute of Technology (NIST), Northrop Grumman, and Dell.

An award-winning author, blogger, and educator, he has written for O’Reilly Media, RSA Journal, Linux Magazine, SC Magazine, Signal Magazine (AFCEA), Admin Magazine, and McGraw-Hill. Many of his works have been translated into over a dozen languages. In addition to his work as an active IT professional, he has helped design global education, certification, and badging programs in topics as diverse as security analytics, Linux administration, web development, kayaking, and British Romantic literature.