Just speaking from personal experience, I got my start in Network Administration (a college program), did an internship with a local library networking department, and found the job I have now. The more you know about computing and networking the better, but I learned more valuable information working in the field I work in now.

Find an interconnect company and try to get in with them is your best bet. And I disagree that our industry is dying...we just need to evolve, and most of us will because we have to (though that doesn't necessarily mean we have to like it.)

Anavon Communications