280: Don’t Be Afraid To Start At The Bottom and Stay Curious with Raffi Jamgotchian

<p>Phil’s guest on today’s show is Raffi Jamgotchian, the founder of Triada Networks. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and a member of both Infragard and the US Secret Service’s Joint Electronic Crimes Task Force.</p> <p> </p> <p>Raffi talks to Phil about why starting at the bottom is a good thing for anyone new to the world of IT as it provides experience and knowledge.</p> <p> </p> <p>He also discusses the value of staying curious and why without curiosity, we may sometimes stagnate.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS:</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>TOP CAREER TIP</strong></p> <p>Don’t ever be afraid to do the “unsexy” jobs. Starting in support or the equivalent is always a good place to start as it provides you with a broad range of experience and understanding.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>WORST CAREER MOMENT</strong></p> <p>Raffi gave notice at a job as he had received a verbal offer of a new one. However, he failed to get this offer in writing, and subsequently the new job fell through. Luckily it all worked out.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>CAREER HIGHLIGHT</strong></p> <p>After 9/11, Raffi oversaw a stringent series of systems and processes designed to withstand future outages. This was put to the test during a blackout, and again later during Hurricane Sandy. Each time, these new systems stood up to the test.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T</strong></p> <p>The tech world today is changing in so many revolutionary ways, and so rapidly. If you are curious, then being in IT is a wonderful world to work in as the possibilities for innovation and creation are endless.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>THE REVEAL</strong></p> <p><strong>What first attracted you to a career in I.T.?</strong> – Money was the initial hook, but also the freedom that IT allows in shaping one’s destiny and future.</p> <p><strong>What’s the best career advice you received?</strong> – Stay curious!</p> <p><strong>What’s the worst career advice you received?</strong> – Don’t go into bus