Our person of the day is Kameliya Keranova, Access Transport Network Engineer at CETIN Bulgaria

In a world where digital services are expected to work instantly, whether streaming in 4K, loading work emails on the go, or synchronizing files across continents, there is an entire hidden universe keeping those seamless moments alive. At CETIN, this universe is run by people whose expertise, speed, and calm under pressure ensure that millions of users never have to think about what might go wrong.

Female experts are increasingly shaping this technical backbone, stepping confidently into roles that once seemed reserved for men. One of them is Kameliya Keranova, Access Transport Network Engineer at CETIN Bulgaria. In this conversation, she opens the door to her daily world – the challenges, the learning curve, and the mindset it takes to keep a network alive.

7 questions with Kameliya. 7 insider views of the tech layers that keep us connected. 

Kameliya, what do you do within CETIN and what was your professional path to it?
I am an Access Transport Network Engineer at CETIN Bulgaria, a role that sits at the core of keeping network transport functional and resilient. It’s a demanding position because it has many layers: you must be dynamic, technically knowledgeable, and able to learn continuously. My journey began at the Technical University of Sofia, but the real understanding came with practice. I joined CETIN as an intern at the Network Operations Centre (NOC) where after the internship I stayed for a year as a specialist. Monitoring alarms from across the entire network helped me discover what truly fascinated me – transport systems, the connections that tie different network nodes together. With persistence and continuous learning, I wanted to train in another department and at the beginning of 2024 was given the opportunity to join the team I’m now in.

What does a typical day behind the scenes in a rapid-response environment look like?
It is a complex position because the role is multi-component. You must be dynamic, technically capable, and experienced, but also ready to learn new things every day. The most important thing is to react quickly to a problem that affects network transport. Our department has two main functions: planning and integration. Planning colleagues develop the transport solution and prepare the tasks. Integration is where the action happens: equipment is physically installed on site, and then we configure it via software. Traffic across networks grows constantly, driven by multimedia use and new services. When we detect overload, we plan expansions; when issues arise, we react at any time of day or night. That readiness and adaptability are essential, and it’s where teamwork really shines.

What was the turning point where you realized transport engineering was “your thing”?
NOC gave me a view of everything, all systems, all alarms. Over time, I realized that the most complex and interesting challenges came from the transport layer. It’s like the circulatory system of the network. Once I understood that, I knew where I wanted to grow. Asking to train in a different department was a personal challenge, but it was the moment that defined my path.

CETIN is known for its culture of knowledge sharing. How has this shaped your growth?
One of the biggest advantages here is that colleagues are always there to help. If you're curious, if you ask questions, you receive a “handful of knowledge” every time. That environment made me feel both challenged and supported. You can’t stand aside and wait for opportunities, but when you seek them, CETIN gives you room to evolve.

Are women in engineering gaining more ground than before, and what is your tip for fellow colleagues?
Absolutely. In recent years, more women experts have been stepping into technical fields and excelling, helping to advance industries that were predominantly staffed by men before. I believe women are naturally organized, consistent, and detail-oriented - qualities that are extremely valuable in engineering. My advice is to be curious, ask questions, also don’t underestimate your instincts. Growth comes from stepping into challenges.

In today’s world of rapid AI developments and automation, how is human expertise still essential in your job?
Automation is nowadays indispensable from operations, but it still has limits. In transport engineering, situations often arise that don’t fit predefined logic. You need intuition, experience, and quick judgment. There are viable steps taken to fully automate processes, but they still reach a point where a human must contribute with gained expertise. And that’s why the human set of skills required remains crucial.

What would you advise a young engineer considering a technical career?
If you’re hungry to learn and want to dive into the dynamic world of technology and telecommunications, CETIN is a great place. You’ll join a team where knowledge flows freely, where the work has huge impact, and where you’ll never be bored. And the company environment, from the supportive colleagues to the conditions, nurtures both your professional development and your confidence.

 

Text and photos based on original publication material by money.bg (https://money.bg/career/inzh-keranova-ot-telekom-otryada-za-barzo-reagirane-na-cetin.html).