In 2018, Patrick Baah made a life-changing move that spanned over 5,500 miles. He joined his wife and family in Chicago from Ghana in West Africa. As a skilled geologist with years of experience in Ghana, Patrick pursued a career aligned with his expertise. Unfortunately, his job search proved tougher than originally planned, and he needed a paycheck to support his family. Patrick quickly found work at a warehouse for an international distribution organization. He was determined to do what was necessary to support his family, and he spent time researching long-term career alternatives – particularly in Information Technology, an industry he was always deeply passionate about. Patrick set out to find a better path, and that’s when he connected with National Able Network and IT Career Lab.   

 

“I knew I wanted something different,” Patrick says, “…IT Career Lab changed everything.” In 2019, Patrick joined the Cisco Meraki Apprenticeship cohort at IT Career Lab. The program offered hands-on experience while pursuing globally-recognized certifications with real Cisco Meraki equipment and support from industry professionals. “Every Friday, folks from Meraki would come in and help us set up gear and understand how it worked,” he says, “We weren’t just reading about it, we were practicing it.” 

 

Patrick’s commitment paid off! He successfully earned the following certifications: Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCNT) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). After completing the IT Career Lab program and earning these certifications, he was hired through TEKsystems to support Walgreens – where he was pivotal in installing over 5,000 machines across the nation. Just a few months later, Patrick’s talent and passion stood out – he was hired full-time by Cisco Meraki! 

 

“That’s how I got my foot in the door. Once I got here…your hard work is always going to show,” says Patrick. Within a year he was promoted from Network Support Associate to Network Support Engineer. Patrick rose through the ranks and today he is on the Meraki High Tier team where he works with high-priority clients, while also mentoring new hires and IT Career Lab participants at Cisco Meraki. He says, “I’ve been where they are. Many of them are changing careers, learning new skills, and navigating a space that can feel overwhelming at first,” he says. “I get to help them through that. It’s rewarding.” 

 

He credits the hands-on instruction and real-world exposure he received at IT Career Lab for launching his success. “It wasn’t just the education—it was the network, the support, the mentorship,” he explains. “My career coach connected me with recruiters and helped me prepare for interviews. Even before I got to Cisco Meraki, I had multiple offers because of those connections.” 

 

Looking back, Patrick reflects on the power of persistence and purpose. “Whatever your reason for getting into IT—whether it’s financial, personal, or something else—it’s valid. Just know that your hard work will get recognized. It did for me. It takes time. But if you keep going, even small progress is still progress.” 

 

Congratulations, Patrick! Thank you for continuing to give back to the next generation of IT talent.