We've all heard about the perks of consulting—travel, per diems, cool assignments, and advanced learning. We've also heard about the challenges—really long hours, a grueling workload, and being on the road most of the week. Even with those cons in mind, consulting offers incredible opportunities and a way to navigate an undecided career path.
Because of the varied nature of projects, companies, cultures, and industries one works in, a consultant gets exposure to much more diversity than any one job could offer. Consultants also get exposure to C-suite concerns. Most employees have to work their way up the corporate ladder to get access to high-level strategic projects. As a consultant, you not only get to work with the top of the pyramid, but you also learn what keeps them up at night and how you can help solve business-wide problems. You learn a lot very quickly.
Consulting offers freedom from corporate politics and gives you a certain level of courage to say and do what's right for your clients. That's the reason they hired you, and you should foster that. Consulting allows you to take pride and ownership in your ability to do great work and deliver beyond the client's expectations. When you do this, you quickly establish your brand.
