Andre Tulloch made his mark in computer networking as the first Jamaican to be awarded the Caribbean and National champion in the Cisco competition last year.
Tulloch spoke with The Gleaner recently about his passion for computer networking and his reason for entering the competition.
He entered the NetRiders competition last year and was placed 11th out of 2,700 Caribbean and Latin American students from 21 countries.
“I wanted to compete with the best”, being placed 11th in the competition suggests my hard work has paid off and the feeling is really good.”
The aspiring 21-year-old third year degree student at HEART Trust/NTA Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI), says he wants to work as a senior administrator for an organisation in Jamaica, as well as to make an indelible mark in the lives of others to propel them to be the best they can be.
"I feel like I have so much networking knowledge that I just want to share it with others and get them involve into computer networking to build Jamaica," he said.
Cisco International is the worldwide leader in computer networking and the organiser of the NetRiders competition. It provides certification to students who want to become Cisco Certified Professionals. The competition helps to identify and recognise the best IT students in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The competition, which began in August ended November 5, 2010, and gives students an opportunity to showcase their IT/networking skills and gain visibility among talent recruiters in the growing networking arena.
Tulloch said networking is the core of Cisco and basically his passion is anything that is associated with networking.
“I'm actually willing to assist persons who want to participate in the competition next year. I want to give them a feeling of what to expect and to dispense the knowledge I have.”
Tulloch was, however, quick to say that “you can basically achieve anything you put your mind to. All you have to do is be committed.”
He is the fifth of seven children born to proud parents Ronia and Sebert Tulloch, in the cool hills of Spaulding, Manchester. He attended the Spaulding Primary School and later Manchester High.
At high School, Tulloch says he never thought about computer networking, as he wanted to pursue a career in banking. However business was not his passion.
“I was not focus and committed then as I am now,” he said.
Tulloch said the competition has helped him to be more confident, discipline and focussed.
Tulloch enjoys listening to music, watching basketball and tutoring students who are interested in computer networking.
Click on link to view video http://www.youtube.com/embed/tc4Jz887fH8.
