What, network engeneering is a dead end???
I am currently working for a telecom organization and let me tell you, i am learning linux now. If you work in a IT area and see servers you will need linux and unix and solaris to work properly.
Servers are a big part of a network, the way i see it, you should know about servers, services, protocols, switching, routing and of course and where i want o be... security...
I think the way to get to security is to know the other topics very well...
I really dont think networking is a dead end though is getting harder but there is still job to do here, specailly at the IT part of networks.