To be constantly learning, pick up Java or Ruby or something
To play around, learn Perl.
To go insane try to understand a Teradata logical data model or SAP B/W -- oh, yes, if you are an expert on ABAP you can name your price.
visual basic is for kiddie programming, terribly simple. Learn C if you want a challenge and how to really code..
I have read that between 60 and 80 percent of transactions in F500 companies STILL go through Cobol at some point. Many of these are legacy applications that would cost a fortune to replace.
And Cobol/DB2 Cobol/Cics programmers are dropping like flies.
Learn Cobol now and a person could write their own ticket!