You can't move from Perl to .NET, VB, or really even C

I strongly disagree with you on this. Yes, you can. You just need to be able to do it, and prove it.

Write programs. Contribute to opensource. I can't emphasize enough the advantages of contributing code to opensource software. If you do it right, it's just going to be one of the best learning experiences you'll ever get.

I also feel that if you are *just* a Perl programmer, you'll have trouble finding a job. However, if you are good at Perl and something else, then I think your options will increase by some very large factor. In this case I don't mean Perl and some other language: I'm talking about, for example, Perl and Biology. In my case it has always been my interest in web technologies, being fluent in Japanese and English, *and* Perl ;)