| Topic Name: |
Start a career in IT consulting? |
| Message Name: |
A few comments for shapeshifer |
| Date Posted: |
04/12/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
Hello. I'm a CIS major graduating in December with a solid background in VB, Java, and web design. I'm running a 4.0 in my courses (not a top tier school though), and have solid experience in real sales and management (7 years work experience before returning to college, including 4 running $7 million business). That's the background. The question is, to go into consulting or not? I think the work would suit me perfectly, but am concerned with the travel (especially Big 5). But do more tech-oriented consultants travel as much as strategy people? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated! |
| Message: |
It sounds like you are far along in your thinking. I would avoid 'Big 5' consulting at this point, though the market may do this for you anyway!
I am currently in a Big 5 consultantcy after 20 years in industry and as an independent, and while I don't travel much I saw an awful lot of people doing the out Monday back on Friday bit when things were better. They will do it to you in the drop of a hat! Probably stick you in testing to boot!
Small to medium size sounds the way to go. Their markets are usually local, so travel demands are small (though commuting demands may be otherwise)!
Big 5 can be a crapshoot. You are typically not hired individually but doled out as needed to managers. Which means where they will put you doing what is pretty much random. With the local outfits you have a much better chance of interviewing with the person you'll be working for, so it is more predictable.
Note one more thing: Consultantcies of any size don't give a rat's ass about technical career paths!
I've just spent the better part of a year getting up to speed on J2EE because it's going to be mega in demand during the expansion. But my partner and management generally have been treating me like dog do because there has not been a lot of demand for greenfield development skills during the recession.
This may be ending, because there are signs all over of projects starting up the past 2 months, and I'm going out to help bid one next week. Turns out there are fewer than 10 people in the company with J2EE Architect skills and I'm one of it. So the 'nuclear winter' may be done.....
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