Meet the Trainer: Keith Barker
With over 25 years of experience in IT and networking, Keith Barker is widely recognized and affectionately referred to as the “OG of IT.” A CBT Nuggets trainer since 2012, he has created training for the most in-demand areas of IT, including Cybersecurity, VMware, Cisco Systems, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet.
Keith is a published author, a Cisco Designated VIP, and a trainer whose hands-on courses have helped thousands of learners advance their IT careers. Learners describe him as enthusiastic, approachable, and endlessly knowledgeable, and it’s clear he’s earned his legendary status in the world of IT training. If you’ve taken any of Keith’s courses, you know it’s more than just exam prep. With Keith, you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll walk away with rock-solid IT skills you can use throughout your career. Today, we sat down with the man himself. Let's get to know a little more about Keith Barker.
What inspired you to pursue a career in IT? My love for tech and networking began when working as a teller in a bank, where I was self-taught. That sparked my interest in getting some additional training, which led to a career in computer networking with my first job in the 1980s at Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
What’s a surprising moment or “aha” you had while learning something new in IT? No matter how many times I have studied a topic or technology, when I review it again and revisit it, I often discover something new or gain some new insight regarding that technology. This continues to surprise me, and I am grateful for that.
Do you have any memorable “learning fails” that ended up teaching you something important? Don’t make changes to a production environment without the full change control process being deployed, including the rollback procedures.
What’s the most common question learners ask you, and what’s your best advice for it? A common question I get is, “How do I get really comfortable and confident with a given technology, and how fast can I get a certification?” The answer is to focus on really learning, via hands-on, the technology, and as a side thought, get the certification if needed. It is the expertise and ability to troubleshoot that will be of value, much more than the paper certification. It is OK to get both, but if you only can do one, go for the expertise.
What’s one piece of “unconventional” advice you give to learners that surprises them? People and employers care more about what you can do for them and the company, much more than a specific certification or degree that you may have.
What’s a lesson or skill from outside of IT that you think is essential for tech professionals to learn? Troubleshooting, communication skills, and people skills are critical for anyone working in the world of IT.
What’s a skill or hobby you have outside of IT that influences your approach to teaching or problem-solving? I am a certified hypnotist, and that knowledge is useful in my approach to teaching.
Are there any tools or features you are particularly excited about teaching next? I love teaching the fundamentals, as strong basic skillsets allow learners to move on to the next level with an excellent foundation.
What’s something quirky or unexpected about your work setup? I use 3 Sony DSLR cameras, a stream deck, studio lighting, and several large monitors, including a digital tablet, that make my workplace feel more like an actual sound/video studio rather than an IT person's work area.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when you started in tech, what would it be? Start earlier.
The best part of being a trainer is… Making a difference in the life of a student. When a motivated learner and the correct training meet at the right time, the results are amazing. Being part of the CBT Nugget family causes that to happen every day of the week. One other benefit of being a trainer is the opportunity (and requirement) to be a perpetual student, which reinforces existing knowledge and facilitates learning new things (all the time).
When I'm not making CBT Nuggets videos, you'll find me… Spending time with my wife, family, and friends. We love to travel.
Train with Keith Barker:
VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2024 (VCP-DCV 2024)
Cisco CCNP Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (300-410 ENARSI)
Connect with Keith on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube!
Ready to train with the best? Keith Barker is here to help you advance your career. His upcoming courses span certifications like CompTIA A+, Security+, and Network+, VMware VCP-DCV and NSX, Palo Alto Networks NGFWs, Fortinet firewalls, switches, and wireless, and Cisco Systems CCNA and CCNP. Along the way, you’ll dig into hands-on labs designed to turn concepts into skills you can use in the real world.
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