Two other fields that use perl a lot: Testing and Quality Assurance. Lots of large test engines for software packages are written in Perl. This is doubly true if your software has to be tested on many platforms. You might look at getting an Internship in a testing department (make sure your not just clicking buttons). It could work out well that you get to write code, and learn first hand from people who know their stuff.
-my 0.02