Is it wise to pursue alternate employment for a while?

Finding a near entry-level Java programming job is,.. erm.. daunting these days. I'm looking at a likely lay-off very soon now. I've got just a bit less than a year of c/c++ experience, with no professional Java experience (Yes, I've got a college degree and the SCPJ2 cert).
I'm considering the [ drumroll ] unthinkable: taking a job in something other than programming due to market conditions. Perhaps to return to programming professionally when the market is more favorable.
How harmful to a budding programming career, would you say, is it to do this? How difficult is it to jump back into after a year off?
//-------------------------------------------------------------
{ Me personally now. - folks who can't tolerate strangers spewing personal details should stop reading now }
I hate to say it; even though I posted in a different thread about how rough many kids are (and yes, they'll trash you if you allow them to), I'm a darn good teacher. Schools are practically begging for science and math teachers and the academic year is about to start (I'm a B.S. Physics and have taught high school before). I could probably find something in a week.
{rhetorical now}
If I'm layed-off (sp?), how long would I spend looking for Java work while on unemployment? Would I only end up finding job offers to do more blindingly dull Win32? Can I even bet that the IT market will pick up anytime soon?
{/personal}
{/rhetorical}

John,
If you like teaching, I don't see anything wrong with taking a teaching job now. Also, I think your teaching would be of value to any kind of training type job in the technical field. Granted its a back seat to development, but still an entre to the field.
Dan

Thanks Dan,
Yes, I do like teaching. It's keeping discipline in the classroom that I've had a problem with in the past.

John:
No one is going to care if you take a year or two off.
If it comes up at an interview - you tell them that you had to take care of a dying relative who had terminal cancer. In the meantime, you taught school because it offered the flexibility to devote more of your time to your sick relative. Since the relative is now deceased, you can devote your time back to IT work - which is your true love in life.
Seriously, it's none of their freaking business. And the above excuse is as good as any.

I spent a whole year fishing after my layoff with Lucent Technologies. It took me about 4 weeks to grab a gig out in Colorado. I got laid off from that gig after 12 weeks. So I spend 2 more months fishing before I got grabbed up by my current employer.
---
I know lots of women in this industry (real programmers - not minimum wage secretaries) who have taken 6 or 7 years off to have kids and get them in school.
If you have the skills, and won't shorten anyone's life span, they will hire you.
John Coxey
(jpcoxey@aol.com)

[This message has been edited by John Coxey (edited August 24, 2001).]

JC,
Thanks for the helpful comments. Puts my mind at ease a little.
> If you have the skills, and won't shorten anyone's life span,
> they will hire you.
Heh, maybe the stress of teaching again would shorten my life span, eh?

Sorry I can't say I've made a decision about it yet... There's a large job fair coming up in Stamford in mid/late September. I'm still considering forgetting about the teaching option, getting some projects together, and trying my luck at the job fair. Companies pay a lot of $ to be present at those fairs so they've got to have some jobs available...
It's really only next week that schools will still be in dire need. After the year starts, they'll have their current staff stretched thin but covering all the classes -- also, the long-term subs will be in place.
[This message has been edited by john gabriele (edited August 25, 2001).]

John:
I've read about the "severe" teacher shortage out in Colorado this year - but have to laugh at their solution.
First, you need a 4 year college degree. If you get through the interview/background/physical - you can get a temporary "emergency license" to teach.
You then have two years to get another 30 to 45 credits in "classroom management" and other teacher skills - all at your own time and expense.
And here's the clincher. The starting salary is US$29K/yr. In a state with a 5% state income tax - where basic homes (at least in Denver) average around US$250K/yr.
No wonder Johnny can't read.
Later,
John Coxey
(jpcoxey@aol.com)

JC,
It's not quite as bad here in CT. That is to say, it's all the same except the salaries are just a bit better here.
I'm calling some people tomorrow just to talk about available teaching positions.
One cool thing would be the possibility of incorporating some programimng into the teaching --- maybe some Java3D physics sim's... Or even start a Java game programming club.