Breh...
Networking intersects with all realms of IT; Desktop, Security, Cloud, Virtualization, etc..
The industry is going in the direction of Cloud-based and software defined networks (SDN)
This is the reason Cisco recently revamped their certification CCNA back in February this year.
You got the Network+? Congrats. Now its time to look for a job, particularly with a NOC (Network Operations Center).
Also, Do not slow down and get comfortable. You need to go for the CCNA
Wanna sharpen your skills in a virtual lab environment. Download GNS3.
Also as far as career moves go, You'll earn in-demands skills and get to the real money a whole lot sooner with your networking skills if you didnt go down a PURELY strict networking path.
When you reach Network Admin/Engineer Level, you'll have all the time you need to focuse purely on the network side of things.
What I'd advise is to go down the Desktop Support>>Desktop Administrator Path because you'll progress a whole lot quicker in terms of skills you gain and salary, especially with networking skills. You'll also progress into a network admin role faster because alot of those guys usually come from desktop support/desktop engineering backgrounds; they usually get alot of hands on action being out in the field versus a network analyst/network support specialist who (from my personal experience) just look at screens all day monitoring network activity and shyt. Easy money, but I'd rather have fast progression going the other path. Although, some times if you have a short staffed department you can fast track your way from a NOC Support analyst to an engineer in 18 months. This isnt the rule, but it it does happen 20% of the time.
1 last thing about desktop guys, they are more than likely the ones who will be working with all the cloud, virtualization,security and networking technologies in a hands on capacity; providing remote and on-premise support for alot of companies. There's also tons of desktop roles out there that require you to set up networking infrastructure for a corporate HQ or a newly built facility like a hospital.
Desktop is where you want to be if you want decent money, learning experience and to figure out where in IT you want to be. IT's the center of IT operations and where alot of reputable tech professionals get the ground beneath their feet and take off in this game.
Helpdesk on the other hand, is where most people get comfortable because they are coming from shytty jobs in another industry and think they hit the bigtime because it's their 1st gig making 18 to 20 dollars an hour and not having to break their back. The result is they end up in IT purgatory being a professional password resetter and shyt for 10+ years.
I speak from experience cause I work with alot of these guys and its pathetic and depressing. Always talking about they working no this and that cert but never get around to it, Always offloading tickets to me because they dont know how to do shyt outside of what they learned in some call center when they 1st started. Makes me look good but some days, I get tired of putting up with that shyt.
Stay hungry, keep grinding and by all means try to get the fukk up outta helpdesk within 8 months or less
