Career and progression advice

First thing I think you have to remember, is that what is 'hot' now (as a field of expertise) may not be so desired in the future. The main thing is what you feel where do you have most potential and you're comfortable with. That should guide your decision.

Both areas have lots of different sections where you may specialize. The specialization is the one of the keys for your career enhancement. With specialization I don't mean that you should know every nuance of something. That's one possibility. Specialization also could be more wide, covering different areas but not necessarily so deeply. Specialization at some point could also mean leading etc.

Also one thing to keep in mind that being a good professional means lots of curiosity, continuous studying and just... work. So perhaps that could be one criteria for you: which one of the areas you're more curious of.

Its up to you. You must decide that based on your interest.

If you want to go with networking then check these details
Top 6 Computer Networking Certifications[^]
Careers in Networking - Career Advice Tips Ideas Information[^]

or if you want to go with software development then just browse CP.
And here more than couple of ways to learn anything in internet
Education Needed[^]

Please see my comment to the question and other answers. I would say, it's most important not to miss long-term goals. Money will be earned and will go (:-(), but without long-term goals they have limited values. Most important thing is to be prepared to dramatic change is technology, or, better yet, to drive this change. In this sense "pure" technical education have really little value: things get obsolete while you learn them. That said, it's most prudent to focus on fundamental education and your ability and skills to do everything with your own hands. In general, not in any of the particular technology. So, the strategy should be deep (and perhaps relatively slow) fundamental education and very fast learning and putting into practice purely technological tools.

Please see also my past answer here: Web development future![^].

—SA