Those who will really want help will seek it in the proper channels.
Talk to people who have been where you are and who have reached where you want to go.
I know
@bdizzle is a Security/Infrastructure Eng/Architect (i'm assuming).
I know
@Rusty Kuntz is a Systems Architect
I am a Network Engineer turned Systems Engineer (as of last week)
I know we have plenty of people who have varying levels of dev experience (myself included)
We have plenty of Admins and SMEs as well.
The first thing I do whenever I see someone who has a cert/title I want, I ask them how they got where they are, and what advice they have to offer. Everyone has a different path, but all experiences are useful knowledge.
If 1 nikka brushes you off, keep it pushing. There is a wellspring of knowledge and experience here.
Hell I hit up my old CE classmates from time to time to shoot the shyt and talk about new opportunities. The job i'm in now I basically got from 1 networking meeting with the right person.
Short version: I'm just saying everyone should use the resources we have available. TheColi is not lacking for IT professionals