I need career direction

Since there are so many unemployed IT people, with more graduates on the way every year, I'm seeing that it is a combination of issues that results in finding work. Attitude, hands-on experience, certs, degrees, integrity, a positive attitude (especially in the interview) and people skills are all important in distiguishing oneself from other applicants.

I was in school with Linux geeks that were absolute whizes, but had zero people skills. I wouldn't hire them for a job because they would probably be more interested in hacking than in doing the job or showing up on time for work.

Certs and degrees get you past the job requirements that HR throws up, and the interview is where you personally sell yourself as the one very qualified person they should hire. I stood out in my last interview because I had a very comfortable attitude and was certain I could do the job well. I had ready asnwers for their questions because I had thought about examples ahead of time for problem customers, getting along with coworkers, difficult situations, etc. They said afterwards that I came across almost too confident. But the other person they were considering was really nervous in the interview. So technical skills are only part of getting the job. They need to feel like you would be someone they'd like to work with.

Also, have a resume that is very easy to read and to the point. Think bullet points instead of paragraphs.

The problem you are facing is typical. We try to find the career direction by looking at what's "out there." And the result is that you feel as if you are just one of billion sand particles lying on a beach. You must realise that you are a unique person and have much more to offer to this world than just your qualification and experience. Please find your strengths, personality, values and interests and you will feel empowered and gain clarity.

You may visit my Web site http://atulmathur.com

All the best!

Yours is not an unusual problem, but your approach is sadly typical and under-rates you as a person with more than a bunch of IT-attributes. You need to present yourself with a more worldly view of your career and your individual self than focussing solely on your qualifications. As you learn and experience the environment around you, the opportunity to network with people in positions that may help you later arises. These people will take notice of you more for your personality than your skills, so work hard to be presentable and sociable. I am not suggesting you ignore your credentials and skills, but put them aside as you socialise, and become a person who has outward interests as well.
Income, while important, should not become the determining factor in any position. You should ask at interviews about the people and the social interations and community opportunities the company is involved in as well. This will attract the interviewer as it shows you are likely to be a more adaptable person, able to take on more responsibilities and therefore more promotion later on.
You seem to have had an initial focus on a relatively specialist area, so treat this time as an opportunity to explore what other options you may have and what you may enjoy doing.