We're you applying outside the company everyday?
I started kinda looking to move out of helpdesk around my 2nd year, but its just so hard to make the transition some times. I was "looking" for a couple years but the only thing I could really get was other helpdesk positions. And I think it was partially because I was afraid to leave my comfort zone and scared to go to a new job and fail. Finally I was able to get more responsibility at the place I worked and then once I gained experience I was able make strides. I think the biggest help was finally being exposed to more advanced stuff and then I kinda knew what I wanted to do and was able to self-study and lab.
I think that jump from helpdesk is probably the most difficult jump in IT. After that it seems like its constant progression if you are motivated to keep moving up.