What are the best intelligence analyst qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming an intelligence analyst? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective intelligence analyst?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

There are various CIA/DIA/DOD courses available. MDCI the Multidisciplinary Counterintelligence course is a good basic course. DIA has a basic, intermediary, and advanced analyst course in various fields (Counterterrorism).

Other good to have items are powerpoint, knowlege of dataprocessing and mapping systems, link chart & link systems.
(Check the AFIO website Association For Intelligence Officers
afio.com)

Non traditional - non Federal/Military intelligence analysts or Law Enforcement (LE) analysts also called Crime Analysts
- look at the IACA website International Association of Crime Analysts www.iaca.net
International LE analysts: www.ialeia.org/
Or other resources:
www.intelligenceisthefuture.com/ an excellent site resource!
There are other links and jobs on these sites.

The best way into a field in Intelligence Analyst is to join the military. I am in no way a recruiter.

But think about this. You will definitely have experience and a clearance when you finish your military career.

Army or Marine intelligence positions will give you the experience you need as well as the security clearance. Remember, we're currently in GWOT (Global War on Terror) mode. You'll be busy for the next couple of years.

As Al said, the military is a sure fire way into an intelligence profession. Signals Intelligence, to include the cyber warfare sector, is the hot thing right now and will be for the considerable future.