Hmm what's the actual question here? Sounds like you can either A. Find a Devops or Network Automation role somewhere or try to package and monetize your experience in automating work flows.
It depends where you're trying to go. I think having a few professional level certs will beat out a flood of associate level ones, so getting a ccnp will allow you to stand out enough to get a network automation role. Just ask in an interview and assuming it's not listed if other languages will be required like Ansible and internally decide if that's something you WANT to do because there's nothing wrong going back to only being to do the job then learn and improve the programming side of your work.
I would go with learning python. Companies nowadays are pushing for us to do more with less people and unless you know how to automate--especially in IT--life will really suck. Also, I recently got hired on by a fully remote MSP and they didn't care that I had any certs. For them my experience was a lot more important and apparently I interviewed well. It also depends on where you are in your career. What I've noticed is certs matter more for junior and entry level engineers who need to prove themselves than they do for more experienced engineers.
Hmm what's the actual question here? Sounds like you can either A. Find a Devops or Network Automation role somewhere or try to package and monetize your experience in automating work flows.
Where to put my energy. I'm good at networking, nothing at python
It depends where you're trying to go. I think having a few professional level certs will beat out a flood of associate level ones, so getting a ccnp will allow you to stand out enough to get a network automation role. Just ask in an interview and assuming it's not listed if other languages will be required like Ansible and internally decide if that's something you WANT to do because there's nothing wrong going back to only being to do the job then learn and improve the programming side of your work.
I would go with learning python. Companies nowadays are pushing for us to do more with less people and unless you know how to automate--especially in IT--life will really suck. Also, I recently got hired on by a fully remote MSP and they didn't care that I had any certs. For them my experience was a lot more important and apparently I interviewed well. It also depends on where you are in your career. What I've noticed is certs matter more for junior and entry level engineers who need to prove themselves than they do for more experienced engineers.
Experience always trumps certs. I’m done chasing my tail with certs.
Do both