C# is kinda the same, but limits you to IIS
No dont forget Mono. If you know Perl, you can embed it with Mono. Refs:
How useful this is to the original question is debatable. One thing I didn't get from the original post was *what* type of work and what industry they want to work in.
My advice would be: A) take dragonchild's advice (tactical short term) and then B)*expand* your existing skillset beyond programming into areas such as usability (strategic longer term).
As the IT industry matures comodity tasks like programming (sigh) are being outsourced. Higher level tasks such as usability *could* (caevet emptor) be in much higher demand.
update: looking for an open source problem? - read this article, usability and CUSP (Common Unix Printing System). 