I managed to survive four years at my last job. And by "survive," I mean I actually had a pretty good time mostly learning/hacking/doing what I enjoy with the occasional experience that was less than ideal.

My recent job switch was a bit of a risk. When I first came on to my previous position, it was intended to be an interim position until I could get back to what I "really wanted to do" (which is application development and design). A few months after my starting on Government Hill, the economy cratered, drying up all of the federal projects that had been given 8A precedence to the development industry in town. It was... worrying, to say the least. However, I was learning an incredible amount, as well as getting the opportunity to occasionally do the development-type things I enjoy. It was wearying, though, being in a support position where people would get angry at you for things outside your control, or for things that were in no way your fault (other than the fact that you were the first person to pick up the phone).

The experience, however, did help me. Doing things painstakingly, archaically, and to the utmost level of paranoia, now makes me sound like a grizzled veteran at work, chain smoking a pack of cigarettes while swapping war stories (as applied to the IT industry, extrapolate from there). I hope academia treats you well, teaches you lots of things, and gives you good war stories to relate upon your return. And that whatever opportunities you find are lucrative and beneficial.

But more importantly, given what opportunities you have, I hope you guys do return. :)