Introduction

Technology Consulting is a vibrant and healthy field. It attracts people from a variety of experience and a variety of cultures. Consulting firms like PwC, Eide Bailly, Goldman Sachs, and many others employ tech consultants to examine the business processes of clients and determine how a particular tech stack can fit into their processes.

My goal for you at the end of this short blog post is that you will have five easily understandable tips that will help you succeed in a corporate consulting position.

Tip 1: Establish some credentials

Graduating from an accredited university in IT, CS, IS, Statistics, Mathematics, etc. will provide you with a baseline of credentials to work with. Your employer and clients need to know that you are passionate and have a basic competency in a variety of technologies in order to see you succeed in your position as a consultant.

Tip 2: Gain social cred

Even though there are positions as entry-level consultants right out of college, you might consider pursuing a career in a specific technology you're interested in before trying out consulting. This will give you the social credibility that will allow you to be trusted beyond that which a college degree provides.

Tip 3: Be passionate about trends in technology

Often business you work with will be stuck in a "the way we've always it" mindset. Some businesses will be progressive and willing to take some risk to pursue new, exciting technology stacks, but they in the minority. You need to be willing to learn bleeding-edge technologies and be able to quickly pitch them to your clients. For example, a company may have a legacy website built on php, but that website has a number of vulnerabilties, memory leaks, and the potential for future discontinuation. A modern tech stack such as the JAMStack might be more suited to their current needs, and you need to be conversant in new technologies.

Tip 4: Be adaptable and understanding

You will speak with numerous individuals from various walks of life, and you need to be prepared to speak to them in any situation and from any background. Being an adaptable person with the ability and social intelligence to connect with all different kinds of people will help you to be an important keystone in your organization.

Tip 5: Network

Connect. Listen. Engage.

Often times, as tech enthusiasts, we assume that no one cares about our work other than those who stand to gain from it. However, you can find many people with similar interests as you. In a professional setting, spend some time with your clients getting to know them, understand them, and connect with them. Those skills will take content customers and turn them into happy customers that will may provide future engagements and leads for you to pursue. Making friends never heart anyone's career.