How to Become a Technology Consultant

A technology consultant provides support and system design expertise to companies and businesses looking to implement or upgrade an information technology network. To become a technology consultant, you can either get the proper training to qualify for internal, permanent positions with consulting companies or work for yourself on a contract basis.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree (optional)
• Secondary professional training in information technology

Instructions

Get the Training

1. Do a 4-year bachelor's degree in a technology-related field, such as computer science, information systems management or electronics. Since the focus of your consulting career is going to be providing technological support, you don't need advanced, formal business training.

2. Go on to take specialized courses in information technology once you graduate from college. Available through professional schools and other accredited institutions, IT education is a key way to signal yourself as a true professional in a world of "do-it-yourself" individuals without hard credentials.

3. Consider adding a graduate degree to your education portfolio to give yourself an edge in the workplace.

4. Keep your skill set up-to-date at all times as you get your career off the ground by enrolling in inexpensive technology classes at your local city college. Information technology changes fast. Change with it.

Start Working

1. Do small-scale technology consulting on a freelance basis for independent businesses looking to implement some IT to their workplace. Advertise yourself locally, and work at reduced (or even free) rates until you have built up enough experience on your resume to start applying for jobs.

2. Expect that you'll need at least a couple of years of proven experience before you'll start turning heads in the professional world as you try to become a technology consultant.

3. Know that the technology consulting industry is roughly broken up into three categories: professional services, staffing companies and independents. Professional services companies are large IT consulting firms who employ a large, steady workforce to meet the needs of their clients. Staffing agencies, on the other hand, outsource IT professionals on a contract basis according to market demand.

4. Keep an eye toward going into business for yourself, once you have built up an impressive enough resume and have access to a steady client base without the aid of an agency or consulting firm. To become an independent technology consultant, expect to work professionally for a period of at least 3 to 5 years before you'll have the know-how to go out on your own.

Tips & Warnings

• It's easy to confuse technology consulting with management consulting. In general, the distinction is that the former are technology-based professionals, while the latter specialize in business to help companies operate more efficiently.