Interview with Jordan - There's a Villa and it's Real - Ep 87

Episode Overview

• Guest Jordan Villarreal, Technical Advocate for NetBox at NS1, shares his unconventional journey into the world of network engineering.
• The conversation covers his early, resourceful experiences with technology, including networking computers with a printer cable to play video games and a humorous first IT job.
• Jordan discusses his career progression, including his decision to pursue a degree while working, his time in enterprise roles, and his passion for hands-on, physical networking.
• The episode highlights the importance of open-source tools like NetBox and concludes with Jordan's strong advocacy for finding and participating in a supportive professional community.

Key Concepts

• Jordan's career path began with a passion for gaming, which led to creative, self-taught networking solutions like using a null printer cable and IPX/SPX to play Quake.
• His early professional life started unconventionally with a high school web design job for a company selling adult products.
• After working in a one-man IT shop, he pursued a bachelor's degree to gain credibility, blending real-world experience with academic learning.
• He has experience working in diverse networking environments, from the pristine, showcase-like corporate headquarters to the challenging realities of manufacturing plants.
• A deep appreciation for the physical, hands-on aspects of networking is a core part of his identity as an engineer.
• His current role at NS1 focuses on building a SaaS offering for the open-source tool NetBox, providing it as a managed "Source of Truth."
• The immense value of community is a recurring theme, emphasized as a crucial resource for career growth and support in the IT industry.

Quotes

• At 21:30 - "...enabled IPX/SPX and was able to play Quake across a serial printer cable." - He details the creative, low-tech solution he engineered to create a two-person gaming network before having access to proper networking hardware.
• At 26:36 - "We sell adult products." - The shocking and hilarious reveal from the clients at his first web design job, which he attended with his mother at age 15.
• At 44:18 - "If someone's really going to take me seriously... I've got to put a degree behind this." - Jordan explains his motivation for going back to school to get his bachelor's degree after working in a small IT shop.
• At 53:23 - "I started to miss my babies. I wanted to go hear the fans. I wanted to turn the screws." - After COVID-19 protocols limited his hands-on access to the data center, Jordan realized how much he missed the physical aspect of networking.
• At 1:04:33 - "Find a good community to stick with." - Jordan offers his primary piece of advice for people new to the industry, highlighting the importance of communities like the one fostered by the podcast.

Takeaways

• Practical, hands-on problem-solving, often driven by personal interests like gaming, is a powerful way to develop foundational tech skills.
• An IT career path is rarely linear; a combination of practical experience, formal education, and a willingness to take on unexpected opportunities is key to growth.
• Never lose your passion for the hands-on, physical aspects of the job, as this deep connection to the hardware can be a significant career differentiator.
• Engaging with a professional community is one of the most valuable resources for learning, support, and career advancement in the networking industry.