While, I'm definitely still big into the network world, most of my time these days are orriented around Network Security related interests and devices.
I'm not nearly as heavy into the certifications as I once was, but I did go down the Cisco path-along with a few others. My one suggestion there would be to start specializing as soon as you find out what you like to do. While it's nice to be a "Networking Guy", you are much more employable and wanted as say a QoS or Voice Specialist.
Good luck on your certs.
