Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Eboney Goines had always gravitated toward administrative, organizational, and communications roles. When she enrolled at Chicago State University, she quickly found her path and graduated with a degree in Business Management and Administration. After graduation, Eboney began a role in Comcast’s technical operations department as their Senior Administrative Assistant. Always one to go above and beyond, she was also an active Board Member at The WICT Network – Greater Chicago (an organization dedicated to developing leaders who drive transformation), and an active outreach assistant in New Hope Covenant Church. Eboney’s passion and dedication for growth allowed her to gain an array of experience within multiple industries.  

However, while at Comcast she often overhead technical conversations that sparked her curiosity. “I was always asking questions,” she says, “I wanted to understand how it all worked.”  

At the start of 2023, Eboney was ready for something new, and just around that time the technical operations department began layoffs which impacted her role– she took it as a sign to refocus. “I decided to give myself six months to explore other possibilities,” she says. After completing a women’s business certification program, she received an email about IT Career Lab and National Able Network. Eboney says, “I knew I had to check it out.” That decision would become a turning point. 

Eboney enrolled in National Able Network and IT Career Lab, where she dove headfirst into the world of IT and networking. It wasn’t easy. She says, “I didn’t have any deep-rooted tech knowledge, and the learning curve was steep.” But with the support of her IT Career Lab instructor she kept going. Eboney says, “He was always available—calling, writing, sending resources, and genuinely rooting for us. I didn’t want to let him down. He motivated me through every certification!”  

After completing the IT Career Lab training program, Eboney earned three certifications: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) – Cybersecurity, and ITIL Foundation. The CCNA, in particular, was one of her proudest accomplishments. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she says, “But also the most rewarding. I kept chasing that challenge, and I’m glad I did.” (Take a look at Eboney speaking about her journey HERE.) 

Eboney feels confident about her future! She recently landed a role at Cisco Meraki in San Francisco. She says, “Tech has opened up limitless possibilities, and I’m finally in a field where my career growth has no ceiling.” 

Learn more about Eboney Goines on LinkedIn.