I am as knew as you are with a difference of a couple of days before.
I like number and its meaning. I know something about statistics and mathematics but I like its applications more. I manage some software (Stat / Math) at different levels but enough for me so far. I try to learn something new everyday because that keep me alive.
I like the academy too...Whenever I can I try to do some faculty work...I like to teach.
I know something about MATLAB but I prefer MAPLE instead. Both are great, of course. We can not forget about MATHEMATICA too. They are wonderful computer tools to support Math applications as a whole.
Anyway, I am more concentrated in STAT software, especially SAS. It is a wonderful but expensive.