I have been using SPSS for a while, I have done some simple stuff on excel, and I am just beginning to feel my way around R.

My question is, if I plan to work in stats, what programs do you reccommend I should be able to use well?

It depends on your interest and career path. SAS is good if you are looking job in industry. R/S+ is good if you are interested statistical research.

If you are quick learner, knowledge of one package is enough to become an expert in all( it is matter of learning syntax and functions) .