I have a friend from way back in 2005 when we both started our careers in IT. While I’ve progressed through various roles and am currently earning $96K a year, he has remained in a QA Tech position and now works as a security guard making $18/hr. He believes he has job security and prefers consistent income over seeking advancement, despite being just one paycheck away from financial trouble. He occasionally borrows small amounts from me, which shows he’s not as secure as he thinks. I've tried to encourage him to pursue IT certifications and move into a help desk role, but he’s resistant to change. Now, I’m facing my own transition as my company is closing in less than two months, but I feel prepared for the job market. I’ve been upskilling and am set to take my AZ-900 certification test next week. Interestingly, my friend suggested I go back to school for a Master’s degree, which I find impractical at 45 years old. I believe investing in certifications is a better path for me. This experience has taught me that giving advice is easy, but it’s important to practice what you preach.