Consulting: A smart IT career choice

By

Katherine Spencer Lee

 

July 02, 2007 (Computerworld) A competitive environment for talent makes this an ideal time for experienced IT professionals to consider a move to consulting. Whether it's viewed as a bridge to eventual retirement or as an open-ended career change, consulting is breathing fresh air into many successful IT careers.

Continued economic growth and IT expansion, the impending retirement of baby boomers and an insufficient supply of skilled workers have caused a worldwide technology talent shortage that is expected to intensify over the next decade.

Talent crunch hits employers

In an economy that continues to add jobs, companies of all sizes are having difficulty recruiting and retaining highly skilled IT candidates. Seventeen percent of the more than 1,400 CIOs interviewed for the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report said they plan to add full-time IT staff in the third quarter of 2007, while only 2% said they anticipate personnel reductions. The net 15% hiring increase is the biggest since the fourth quarter of 2001.

> On top of that, some 64 million baby boomers, or more than 40% of the U.S. workforce, are quickly approaching retirement age. Meanwhile, fewer college students are choosing to major in computer science, engineering and mathematics to refill the ranks.

> Employers are especially hard-pressed to find and retain workers with skills that can't be obtained through a quick certification course or a couple of years on the job -- such as the ability to think strategically, lead projects, manage teams and mentor less-experienced staff. In response, smart companies are turning to consultants and project professionals.

Leveraging invaluable experience

Consulting gives seasoned IT professionals -- whether or not they plan to be part of the boomer exodus — a chance to explore new specialties or industries by leveraging the experience they've built up over the years.

> Consultants can continue to earn a substantial income while building a career that accommodates their changing personal needs. Engagement lengths and work schedules can vary, providing flexibility for those with personal aspirations or obligations, such as spending more time with family or caring for aging parents.

> Beyond those considerations, consulting can be an excellent way to battle the "blahs" -- that vague feeling of insufficient challenge or stimulation that can set in over the course of even the most successful IT career. Consulting enables IT professionals to explore new work environments, industries and technologies. Every engagement is different, and consultants can choose the types of projects they enjoy most.

Those who can do, consult

Many IT veterans who try consulting discover that this option allows them to shed some of the less enjoyable aspects of their work, such as dealing with ongoing office politics. Engagements with fixed deadlines and well-defined goals can remind IT veterans why they became passionate about IT in the first place.

> These days, consulting is attracting even the highest-level technology professionals. In a recent survey by Robert Half Technology, nearly half (46%) of CIOs polled said they're likely to consider consulting or project work as a way to transition to retirement.

Is consulting right for you?

Of course, consulting isn't a good fit for everyone. Some may find the financial security of a steady position and the camaraderie of familiar team members irreplaceable. Others who enjoy their hard-earned prestige may not be keen on earning the respect of a new set of colleagues on each project.

> Consulting requires you to hit the ground running at the client company -- you need to be comfortable meeting new people, able to adjust to new office cultures and excited by new challenges. If you're not, or if you simply prefer a steady routine, consulting might not be the best option for you.

> For many IT professionals, the best way to test the consulting waters is to register with a staffing firm that connects them with clients and handles administrative tasks such as invoicing. You can also receive career advice and free training. Some firms help ease the financial uncertainty of consulting by providing access to health care plans and even vacation or bonus pay.