Beginning a Career In Network Security

Hi my name is Pierre.  I am 22 years old and want to pursue a career in 
Network Security.  Currently I hold my A+ Certification, Network+ 
Certification and my MCP (Windows 2000 Professional).  I will soon be 
starting a training course to obtain my MCSE 2000.  Hopefully my MCSE will 
help me get into the IT industry.  I am not a paper cert I am really good 
with computer and pick up on new technology very easily.  I really want to 
become a Network Security Professional.  I have posted on the 
www.monster.com tech jobs expert message board and gotten some good 
advice.  And I was wonder if anyone could lead in the right direction on 
how to pursue my career goal.  From what others have told me, I should get 
some hands on with UNIX.  I decided to take one of my spare computers and 
make it a dedicated Linux box and configure it to be a router/firewall.  
And play around with it by installing some software and administering it 
as my primary firewall.  After I gain some experience I also want to 
pursue my CISSP.  So could anyone give some advice on how I should pursue 
my career in Network Security?  

THX