Getting a category analyst job.

How did you get your start doing category analyst work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

You will need to cut your teeth at a CPG broker or marketing (IN MY NOT LIABLE OPINION)sweatshop like Acosta and Crossmark, like I did. There they will use you and make you a sales gopher. You will work your butt off but learn all the skills to advance to the next level. Even then you will not learn everything. Those environments are very complacent and creates mediocrity, because they give you so much work you have to churn work out by using the easy paths and shortcuts. I moved on after 2 years.

I moved on to an onsite position in a retailer, where I gained the focus allocation instead of sales.
Then after a year I worked for a manufacturer.

Many category analysts need a 4 year degree, but companies will accept experience in a CPG background whether in retail or plannogramming.

Experience today has made me one of the most valued employee of my company. I have the best powerpoint presentations, utilizing advanced animation and photoshop editing skills, excellent Excel skills creating a litany of reports, understanding of plannograms, able to pull both IRI Xlerate and Nielsen Nitro, Spectra demographic applications, and now Homescan Panel skills.

I need to learn Access and Visual Basic. With the new Excel 2007, who needs Access anymore.

Could you please advice what to expect and career prospects as a analytics consultant in the nielsen company.