Jordan Katzarov – A Fast Learnerin The Internet GenerationWith help from the Cisco Networking Academy Program, a talentedBulgarian schoolboy is realizing his potential and making a practicalcontribution to his community’s use of information technology (IT)and the Internet.

Not every 13-year-old would have the confidence to sign up for professionalnetwork training, or the commitment to pass the course with flying colors. ButBulgarian schoolboy Jordan Katzarov is not just any 13-year-old. When heenrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy Program, he was already anaccomplished computer technician, looking to widen his horizons to include in-depth network skills. Now 14, he’s already completed the first four courses ofthe program, passed his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), enrolled inCCNP classes and won an award as one of his country’s top students.

Jordan was bitten by the IT bug at the age of 11. There was not muchopportunity to pursue this interest at school: like many other countries, Bulgariahas relatively little equipment available in schools as yet. But fortunately, thefamily was in touch with some neighbors who had a web design business with itsoffice right next door to the Katzarov home. These neighbors knew a fast learnerwhen they saw one, and decided to give young Jordan an opportunity to spendsome of his spare time pursuing his interest while helping them out.

When the company diversified into providing Internet services, Jordan had thechance to get involved in network installation. “I became very interested in thenetworking aspects and wanted to improve my knowledge,” says Jordan. He wassurfing the web one day looking for information on networks and came across adescription of the Cisco Networking Academy Program being offered at theBulgarian Industrial Association. With his parents’ encouragement, he decidedto investigate.

Teodora Borissova, Internet Training Manager at the Bulgarian IndustrialAssociation admits, “I was surprised to get an application from a 13-year-old,but when I got in touch with Jordan I found that he was very grown-up for hisage. We felt that he would be able to cope.” When Jordan began studying,Teodora had concerns. “For the first few days I could see that it was difficult forhim because the material is so different from what you get in school. But once headjusted his way of thinking—and he soon did—things went very well indeed.”

C I S C O A C K N O W L E D G E S S U C C E S S A N D A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S

Cisco Systems, Inc.170 West Tasman Drive

San Jose, CA95134-1706

www.cisco.com/edu/academy

SUCCESS STORY

Jordan with TeodoraBorissova, InternetTraining Manager at theAcademy after receivingthe award

Jordan passed his CCNA with high marks and won an award as one of the topten Cisco students in Bulgaria in 2002. From Jordan’s point of view, theAcademy Program has proved to be just what he was looking for. The program’se-learning elements are ideal for a young man with a busy schedule. “I can signon anywhere, anytime, so I can work from home or office as well as when I’m atthe Academy.” He was impressed by the laboratory equipment available for thestudent practice. And the pace suited him nicely. “There’s always something todo. The Program makes sure students never run out of steam.” The instructors,too, had the right approach: “They’re professionals with lots of experience innetworking. I take things seriously, and they do too.”

Although he was already an accomplished web designer with a considerableknowledge of IT, Jordan freely admits that he didn’t know much about networksbefore he embarked on the Cisco Networking Academy Program. “Now I’velearned about how to help people build networks and how to introduce a networkinto a business.”

He stresses that his interest is not just in theory but also in practical applicationsof technology. “There’s a lot of talk about computing and the Internet, but I wantto be a doer, not a talker. That’s why I need the knowledge that I’m getting fromthe Cisco Networking Academy Program,” says Jordan. He’s putting hisnewfound knowledge to immediate use in his local community; having takencharge of a small Internet Service Provider (ISP) serving about ten homes in apleasant suburb of Sofia called Simeonovo. He acts as network administrator,looking after the network’s five routers, and also taking an interest in thebusiness side of things— an aspect which Jordan says interests him even morethan the technical details.

It’s clear that a lot of Jordan’s spare time is spent in the world of IT, but he doesfind time for another important hobby, mountain biking. If he ever gets boredwith routers, he can jump on his bike and head off on the route up Vitosha, amountain near his home.

Would Jordan advise other people of his age to consider the Cisco NetworkingAcademy Program? “Age isn’t important,” he insists. “What matters is the desireto take on a challenge, to keep learning more and more, and to become a goodprofessional. If you like those things, then you’ll like this program.”

Cisco Systems, Inc.170 West Tasman Drive

San Jose, CA95134-1706

www.cisco.com/edu/academy