IT Consultant

IT Consultant Career Overview

An information technology consultant provides technical expertise to clients who do not have the internal resources to analyze and address their IT-related needs. Such clients may include both public and private organizations, including government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, retailers and others. Although the IT consulting industry is experiencing rapid growth, prospective IT consultants may still experience substantial competition for positions in the coming years.

IT consulting can take on a few different forms. Information technology analysts work as business consultants to help companies set up effective computer systems, web sites, and corporate intranets. Information technology consultants can help a company increase its efficiency and manage human resources effectively. For instance, an information technology consultant may decide how to allocate tasks among in-house, remote, and outsourced staff, or he may advise a company about available resources for a particular project. An IT consultant offers expertise that would be otherwise lacking. It is a type of management consulting by providing companies with strategies for increasing their competitiveness in the marketplace. Businesses and other organizations use technology to organize, access, disseminate, and use information in a multitude of ways. It is up to the IT consultant to determine how this should be done.

IT Consultant Salary Outlook

The median salary for technical consultants in 2006 was $76,600. In computer systems design, the median income was $76,130. The top earners in this field can make more than $128,330. Benefits are usually excellent and may include a profit-sharing plan, depending on the employer.

Where an IT Degree Will Take You

Most IT consulting firms look for a bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement for an entry-level position. Often, a master's degree may be desirable and it is frequently required to advance within the field. Since an IT consultant needs to understand both technical principles and business principles, it may be helpful to take a mixture of courses that provide background in both areas.

Characteristics of Successful IT Consultants

Technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills are sought-after traits for IT consultants. An IT consultant must be analytical and highly disciplined with a strong understanding of both technology and business management. Frequently, this job demands long hours and/or frequent travel, so dedication is critical. Furthermore, an information technology consultant must have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to get along well with many different kinds of people. Those who wish to advance as far as possible—either by partnering in an IT consulting firm or by opening their own consulting business—would do well to cultivate their networking and marketing abilities, as part of their job may entail bringing in new business.

Information technology consulting is a rewarding career path in many ways. Those who are successful in this area can expect not only a comfortable living, but also challenging work that makes a real difference to their clients' business operations. As organizations endeavor to make sense of the complex information technology choices that they are faced with every day, IT consultants are able to step in and offer real-world solutions to a myriad of challenges.

Article Resources:

U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos019.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs037.htm