How did you "make it" as a consultant?

Question

I've been a consultant for more than 5 years. The problem I am having is that I can't seem to make the transition from a low-level desktop/systems engineer to enterprise consultant. I want very much to be the expert in my field but I can't seem to get the opportunity. My company paid for me to get 5 wireless networking certifications, but then never assigned me to a wireless project. The result is I am "paper certified." The same thing happened with my MCSE. I had the same problem at my last company. Currently they have me assigned to a data entry job. Arrggghh!!

You would think that consulting would be the best way to learn because you would see many wireless installations in a short time, for example. But it doesn't work that way. I'm starting to think that maybe consulting is not the way to go.

How did you become a high-level consultant? How did you become an expert in your field? Can you give me any advice?

Thanks for the advice from those who have answered so far.

One thing I should clarify is my boss' (and company's) attitude. He knows what I want and he wants me to succeed. He is trying to get me onto a good project. Usually problems like timing and resources hold us back.

For example we had a project to install a wireless network throughout a school system. They intended to give a laptop to every student. However it turned out that the person in charge of the bidding process got a payoff and the entire project was canceled.

It's stuff like that which makes me think that mayeb consulting is not the best situation. At least if I got hired into a company's wireless team, for example, I would know that day-in and day-out I would have work in my field of expertise. The drawback is I would see far fewer upgrades and migrations.

Answer 1

I wouldn't claim to be a "high level consultant" but I have done consulting for the last 8 years.

Bottom line is that it is a tough way to make a living. I've had many good times that made me think it could become a full-time gig and then many lean times that make me thankful for my mundane job.

The only way to get experience is to work with the technology. Find a company that wants your certifications, be honest with them that you want to be a hands on guy. I had great luck in my previous job by focusing my attention on the technology and learned a lot. If you don't want to leave your current job, ask them if you can have some dedicated hands on time with the techies. You can tell them you don't want all that money they spent to go to waste.

As for the consulting, pick your customers carefully. Don't take a client just because it will make you some money, pick them by project and also by connections. A doctor will often refer me to another doctor, good clients, good money, challenging work. A retail outlet wants you to do everything, for nothing and they seem to think that the server you fixed 2 years ago entitles them to free service whenever it doesn't work now. These are just my experiences, yours may differ. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Answer 2

I can't comment within your IT profession, however as I'm a Registered immigration consultant I can tell you the generics how I went about it.

I've been in the Recruitment services industry for just over 10 years now and moved into immigration recruitment just over 2 years ago. My field of expertise is International recruitment I believe as in most industries you need to keep up with training requirements and look at specialising in a area of your market that really suits you,

one make sure your interested in it and you find your good at it.

2. make yourself available - be available to people that may ask for advise or help. However don't force the point by offering opinions that have not be asked for. Get yourself recognised as the techie with the know how.

3. Once you have built a rep put your name forward for projects that interest you doing it this way will show you have a real interest in something and not that you are just trying to get ahead by putting your name forward to everything that comes along.

Its a long path but if your determined to do it you will and good luck.

Answer 3

I started off as a Developer. I used to code in PERL, C++, and then JAVA. I became an expert in the field of programming. Then just luck made me a Team Leader because I worked very hard to get to Level 5. I started out as Level 1 then moved up. And then I was basically a Senior Developer. Then with luck, my Manager made me a Team Leader which mentors the Developers that work for me. Its just in good timing and being aggressive. I just knew my sh*t and my constant aggressiveness made me a Leader and Mentor.

How to be aggressive:
Know your stuff. Even though you dont get projects assigned to you, you should show interest and make yourself get involved. If you know things that they dont, and you help them and look over their shoulder, then they might involve you and you can get your foot in the door that way. You just have to be REALLY REALLY aggressive. I think you need to have the personality to do what I had to do. I still report to a higher manager, but the fact that I was really determined and I kept my nose in everyones project made me move up quicker. You dont need to kissup to managers if you know your stuff. And another important thing to have is...patience. You cant just move up overnight. Some people take 20 years to move up to the position they want.

If you really want it, show them. If you really want to learn it, get involved.