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What is an IT Consultant?
An IT Consultant is a knowledgeable professional who helps businesses
develop, integrate, and maximize the value of IT systems. They provide
strategic advice, troubleshoot technical issues, and offer expertise in
areas such as hardware, software, networks, and project management.

What does an IT Consultant do?

An IT Consultant understands customer requirements and business
objectives, providing strategic advice on utilizing technology to achieve
goals. They manage IT initiatives, collaborate with technical staff, design
IT systems and networks, support new technology implementation, train
users, troubleshoot hardware and software issues, suggest system
improvements, and produce reports. Their role involves analyzing
problems, offering solutions, and ensuring effective utilization of
technology to drive business success.

IT Consultant responsibilities include:

 Understanding customer requirements and business objectives
 Providing strategic advice on using technology to achieve goals
 Managing IT initiatives and collaborating with in-house technical staff
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Job brief
We are currently seeking a highly knowledgeable IT Consultant to join
our team. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in helping individuals
and businesses develop, utilize, and integrate IT systems. By resolving
technical problems and providing comprehensive user training, you will
enable our clients to maximize the value of technology in their business
operations.

As an IT Consultant, it is crucial that you possess extensive knowledge

and expertise in the field. Your customer-oriented approach will ensure
that you understand and address the unique requirements of each client.
Effective communication skills, particularly in presentations, will be vital
to convey complex technical concepts in a clear and engaging manner.
 We are seeking an IT Consultant with superior technical proficiency and
a strong problem-solving aptitude. Your ability to analyze and resolve
technical issues efficiently will provide valuable support to our clients.
Additionally, your expertise in identifying innovative solutions and
integrating IT systems will contribute to their business success.

If you are ready to utilize your technical expertise and passion for
technology to drive positive outcomes for our clients, we invite you to join
our team as an IT Consultant. Together, we will empower businesses,
streamline operations, and harness the full potential of technology.

Responsibilities
 Understand customer requirements and business objectives
 Provide strategic advice on using technology to achieve goals
 Manage IT initiatives and collaborate with in-house technical staff
 Design IT systems and networks ensuring the right architecture and
functionality
 Support new technology implementation
 Train users in new and existing IT systems
 Provide assistance with technical issues
 Revise existing systems and suggest improvements
 Produce reports
Requirements and skills
 Proven experience as IT Consultant
 Ability to troubleshoot hardware,software and network problems
 Experience with various operating systems and databases
 Experience in project management
 An analytical mind with problem-solving abilities
 A team player with excellent communication and presentation skills
 Customer service orientation
 Interpersonal skills
 BSc/BA in computer science, IT or relevant field; MSc/MBA in business
will be a plus
 Professional certification (e.g. CompTIA A+) is an asset
Consulting is a term for providing business advice on various topics including,
corporate strategy, product development, marketing, information technology, and
operational improvement. But what most people mean when they talk about
consulting is management consulting.

Management consulting firms include top strategy firms such as Bain, BCG, and
McKinsey. These firms hire business-savvy problem-solvers to help their clients:

 Define the problems or opportunities their businesses face,

 Collect and analyze data to better understand the problem/opportunity and
identify a recommended course of action, and
 Plan the implementation of that solution across the company.
Think of consultants as “doctors” for businesses – brought in to diagnose the root
cause of an issue and then prescribe and implement treatments.

My Consulting Offer’s coaches have experience as consultants at Bain, BCG,

McKinsey, and various other management consulting firms. We can give you
insight into the industry and tell you what consultants do.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

 What is consulting?
 What do consultants do?
 Benefits of a career in consulting
 Downsides to consulting work
 Typical management consulting salaries
 How to become a consultant
Let’s get started!

What Is Consulting?
There are multiple ways to answer the question “What is consulting?” To dig
deeper, let’s continue with our analogy of consultants as doctors for businesses.
 1. Assessment of symptoms: A client knows they’ve got a business
problem (such as declining revenue or a new competitor in their market).
They turn to a consultant for help getting to the root of the problem, as a
sick patient would turn to a doctor.
2. Diagnosis: The consultant assesses the client’s business performance,
taking into account similar problems they’ve seen at clients in the past, like
a doctor would check their patient’s symptoms against known illnesses.
3. Prescription: The consultant recommends a course of action to improve
revenues or meet a competitive threat, much like a doctor would tell their
patient what’s wrong with them and prescribe medicine or recommend a
medical procedure.
4. Bedside manner: The consultant has the experience to steer a client to
the right course of action as a doctor would advise a nervous patient.
5. Follow-up care: The consultant provides the client with a step-by-step
process to improve their business results, much like a doctor provides a
patient with the steps necessary to regain their health.
Why does anyone trust a doctor? Because they are experts in their field and
have extensively studied the human body, the injuries and illnesses that can
afflict it, medicines, and surgical procedures.

Consultants, similarly, are business experts. They can lead the client through a
fact-based analysis of their business problem and the evaluation of alternative
courses of action. They can also leverage their firm’s collective knowledge to
bring extensive industry and functional expertise to bear to solve the problem.
In addition, consultants can provide expert capabilities on topics that businesses
rarely face.
For example, a manufacturing company might only consider a merger or
acquisition once every 10 years. Because of this, it doesn’t make sense for them
to have M&A experts on staff full-time. But mergers and acquisitions are high-
impact business decisions that a client won’t want to get wrong. Consulting firms
look at M&A deals all the time, and by hiring consultants, a client can access this
specialized expertise when needed.

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What Do Consultants Do?
Consultants solve complex business problems using their expertise and
knowledge in specific industries or functions. This ranges from cutting costs to
growing sales or evaluating a new market the client is considering entering.

Let’s explore this question by walking through a sample case from start to finish.

Sample Case: Concert-mania

Concert-mania, Inc. runs several music festivals featuring big-name recording
artists each year. Recently, they transitioned to cashless events, with customers
paying for tickets, food, drinks, and merchandise with credit cards.
Concert-mania wants to leverage its new digital capabilities to increase revenue
and optimize its staffing and operations during festivals.
How would a consulting team help Concert-mania to take its use of digital tools
and data to the next level?
1. Assessment of Symptoms: Consultants define the problem.
2. Diagnosis: Consultants collect and analyze data.
3. Prescription: Consultants recommend a course of action.
4. Bedside Manner: Consultants gain consensus among the client’s
leadership team.
5. Follow-up care: Consultants help implement recommendations, if
necessary.

Assessment of Symptoms: Consultants Define the

Problem
Suppose Concert-mania knows it can do more to take advantage of digital tools
than just make festivals cash free. But management disagrees about what
opportunities would be the best to pursue.

The head of marketing wants to use digital tools to increase revenue at each
festival by making it easier for attendees to buy drinks and merchandise, and
encouraging them to buy more. The head of operations, on the other hand, wants
to use digital tools to reduce costs. Quicker transaction speed means less staff
will be required in the beer tents and merchandise booths.

Part of the value consultants provide is quickly assessing the opportunities. By

doing an 80/20 estimation of the value of digital tools and whether the high-value
opportunities lie in increasing revenue, decreasing cost, or both, the consultants
can help ensure the entire management team is focused on the right problem.
The importance of quick but reasonably accurate assessments of alternative
courses of action is why market-sizing cases are used in consulting interviews.

Diagnosis: Consultants Collect and Analyze Data

While an 80/20 estimation of the opportunity is enough to define the problem and
get the client and consulting team organized to solve it, further analysis is
needed. At this stage, consultants dig deep into data that is often hard to gather
or not clean/organized enough to yield insight without significant work.

For instance, the Concert-mania consultants might attend a festival or two, not to
see the performances, but to count the number of people in line for beer and
merchandise, time the speed of transactions, and measure the frequency of
stock-outs to assess how much revenue might increase if digital technology was
used to streamline operations. They’d also evaluate alternative technologies to
determine which would work best.

Consultants will talk with the marketing and operations teams to get the client’s
input on the improvement opportunities and best tools. They’ll also talk to clients
to find out what they like or dislike about how festivals are run and the changes
under consideration.

The team will calculate the expected revenue increase and cost savings, and
compare them to the cost of investing in digital tools to evaluate whether there
will be a positive return on investment.

Prescription: Consultants Recommend a Course of

Action
After completing a robust, data-based analysis of how much Concert-mania can
increase revenues or decrease costs through using digital tools, the consultants
will develop a recommended course of action and discuss it with senior
management. This course of action includes details of the implementation steps
needed for the plan to be successful.

Bedside Manner: Consultants Gains Consensus from

the Client’s Leadership Team
In the same way that consultants help to define the problem, they also help to
gain consensus around the solution.
Suppose when they defined the business problem, they found that most of the
opportunity was through increasing revenue, not reducing costs. Nonetheless,
the marketing group can’t implement the new digital tools on its own. The
operations group needs to be on board because their staff will operate the beer
tent and the merchandise booths.

If the operations group’s input into the best tools and new processes isn’t taken
into account, the project rollout will not be successful, and the festival’s net
income won’t change. It’s also critical that all parts of the client organization see
the decisions as being driven by data, not by management favoring one
department over another. This is why consulting firms hire people who are great
problem-solvers and consensus builders.

Follow-up Care: Consultants Help Implement

Recommendations
When Concert-mania decides to adopt new digital tools to increase revenues,
there’s still a lot of work to do. This work includes buying the tools, customizing
them for their operations, and training staff on how to use them.

The consultants on the Concert-mania study will lay out a step-by-step plan to
implement the recommendations. This plan will identify the capital and staff time
needed to purchase and customize tools and roll them out. It will also include a
timeline for the final implementation.

As you can see from this example, consultants don’t just solve problems. They
also ensure they are solving the right problem, being data-driven in their
recommendation, getting the entire client organization on board, and assisting
with implementation.

If needed, they will also help the company learn new skills so they can hire or
build the new capabilities they’ll need to succeed in the future. Consulting is all
about helping the client build a self-sustained, well-run business.

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Examples of the Impact of Consultants
How BCG Helped Starbucks Create the Starbucks App
If you’ve ever ordered a drink from Starbucks, you’ve most likely benefited from
the application development that BCG helped Starbucks implement.

Starbucks hired BCG to help develop its personalized recommendations. The

goal was to increase revenue by engaging and attracting more long-term
customers by giving them more personalized experiences every time they open
their app to order a drink.

Have you ever been lured into purchasing a drink by the Starbucks app?
Convinced you need another mocha latte by a double-star promotion? Or played
one of the games to earn that big bonus or free Starbucks for a month?

The Starbucks application collects data, including your most-purchased

beverages, the time between your purchases, and even the time of day that you
most frequently purchase drinks. All this data and more are analyzed so that
Starbucks can monetize your caffeine addiction.

“The personalized games have helped to triple Starbucks’s

marketing campaign results, double email redemptions, and
generate a threefold increase in the incremental spending of
customers who redeem offers. The results come with increased
marketing effectiveness, enabling Starbucks to reduce its mass-
marketing spending and invest in more-personalized marketing
dollars with the right customers, thus incentivizing the right
behaviors.”
Source: “Profiting from Personalization” on BCG.com
If someone asks “What is consulting?”, use the Starbucks app as an example of
something that may influence them every day without them even knowing. The
impact of consulting is all around us; most of the time, it’s just behind the scenes.

McKinsey’s Generation Project Helps Alleviate Youth

Unemployment
Another example of the impact of consulting is McKinsey’s Generation project, an
independent nonprofit organization they founded in 2012. Generation focuses on
tackling the most persistent barriers encountered by youth searching for stable
employment.

McKinsey saw a huge gap between education and employment rates between
young people of different socio-economic backgrounds. This gap can lead to a
lack of motivation, poor job performance, and an unsatisfactory career at an
underpaid job.

To bridge this gap, McKinsey developed a crash course on the key vocational
skills needed in high-demand jobs with good salaries. They also partnered with
companies that needed workers with those skills to ensure there would be
positions available for graduates.

Today, Generation has graduated over 38,000 people from its programs,
employs over 300 people, and operates in 14 countries, from Brazil to India to
Australia. 93% of Generation learners were unemployed when entering the
program, and 84% of graduates are placed in jobs within 3 months of completion
at salaries two to six times higher than their previous earnings. At the one-year
mark, close to 70 percent continue to be employed.
“Generation is McKinsey’s most ambitious social-responsibility
commitment to transform people’s lives and communities through
the power of stable, meaningful work.”
Source: Generation.org

Generation 2.0 — ReGeneration

The Generation Program has been so successful that they have also created
ReGeneration, an initiative for mid-career learners over age 35. Regeneration
provides a free 1-3 month boot camp that trains someone for a completely new
and skilled job.

How do you train someone for a new, skilled job quickly? Mona Mourshed,
former McKinsey consultant and the founding CEO of Generation, explains. “The
students are learning from 9 to 5, five days a week. And the emphasis is on
simulations, role-playing, projects, and activities as opposed to just learning
theory. They focus “on activities as opposed to skills.”

“Here’s what we know,” stated Ms. Mourshed. “There’s often a misconception

that midcareer learners are less able to master new skills. That is completely
untrue.” Among the advantages that older workers bring, she points out, are
“greater life experiences and judgment.”

The next time you’re asked, “What is management consulting?” talk about the
Generation project. This is just one of hundreds of examples of the impact that
consultants have on humanity, and they are worth talking about!

7 Benefits of a Career in Consulting

There are many benefits to going into consulting as a career:
1.
1. Impact. Few jobs allow you to leave a legacy of your work behind at
some of the biggest companies in the world, especially as a new
college graduate.
2. Continuous learning. Consulting firms know the value of knowledge
and are committed to training their employees. Consultants learn
constantly, both from formal training and from on-the-job problem-
solving. Benefits of the job include being surrounded by smart people
and the amount of knowledge you get to absorb every day.
 3. Travel. The life of a consultant takes you all over the world.
Opportunities include ambassadorship programs that allow you to work
in an international office, study abroad programs, and global clientele.
4. Friendships. These are built during your first few weeks at a consulting
firm. They grow as you work together or attend social events and
progress through your careers.
5. Mentorship. Mentorship relationships also start early on. Sometimes
you are paired with a mentor, and sometimes mentorship relationships
develop organically with leaders on your team. These relationships can
help you throughout your career.
6. Educational opportunities. Typically consulting firms sponsor
business school or additional educational opportunities for consulting
staff in exchange for a time commitment to the firm.
7. Exit opportunities. Exit opportunities are the jobs you take when you
leave consulting. They include working for clients, other firms in an
industry you’ve done projects on, private equity, and more. It’s
celebrated when consultants move on to work for clients, continuing the
long-lasting relationship between the consulting firm and client
organizations. Sometimes consultants transition out of consulting after
a year or two, and sometimes they leave after 10 years to take C-suite
positions.

Famous Ex-consultants on the Benefits of Consulting

Take note from some of consulting’s most recognizable and influential names:

“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s

also a very clear path to happiness.”
Sheryl Sandberg, former McKinsey consultant and current COO of Facebook,
from her book, Lean In.

“Opportunities – the good ones – are messy, confusing and hard to

recognize. They’re risky. They challenge you.”
Susan Wojcicki, former Bain consultant and current CEO of YouTube, from her
commencement speech to the Johns Hopkins University Class of 2014.

Consulting can be an extremely challenging career, but ultimately can be

gratifying because it allows you to contribute to the world and solve some of its
most challenging problems.
Downsides to Life as a Consultant
A career in consulting can be exciting and impactful! However, all things come at
a cost, and it’s important to weigh whether the benefits are worth the downsides
that come with the career:

 Long working hours

 Heavy travel
 Time away from family and friends
 An inconsistent schedule
 Not getting to see the long-term results of your work
 The potential for burn-out
Early in your career in consulting, you sacrifice personal time for what may be
one of the highest-paid salaries of all of your recent grad friends. But many
consultants feel pressured to work long hours to solve clients’ problems and
struggle with work-life balance. Over time, most consultants get better at finding
balance.

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What Is a Typical Consulting Salary?
Typically, we see base salaries for associate-level consultants in the U.S. of
$110,000. We see MBA grads receive consulting salaries of $190,000.
Consultants received performance bonuses on top of base pay.

For more details, you can see Management Consulting Salaries.

7 Tips on How to Break into Consulting

1. Ask yourself whether consulting is right for you. The rewards of
working as a management consultant are great, but do they outweigh the
downsides of the job for you?

2. Identify your area of interest or expertise. Do you want to be a

generalist consultant, or do you have a background/interest in healthcare,
 telecom, or another industry or functional area? Knowing your personal
interests will allow you to better tailor your consulting resume and
applications to highlight them.
3. Check for early deadlines. Management consulting firms tend to have
very early application deadlines, and there is no second chance if you miss
them. Check with your school’s career department or the firms’ websites.
4. Create your resume and cover letter. You will use this to “sell” yourself
to people working with the consulting firms you’d like to join. Creating this
upfront solidifies your interest in consulting and makes your application
more likely to get picked for interviews. See our article on Consulting
Cover Letters to get started.
5. Network Network Network. Reach out to consultants who attended your
alma mater or with whom you have connections. They will help you gain
further insight into consulting as a career and their firm’s culture. For more
information, see our article on Consulting Networking.
6. Apply. Submit a polished application to the firms where you’d like to work
based on the insights your gained.

7. Learn to case. Learning to structure your problem-solving is key to

passing consulting interviews and landing an offer. It does not come
naturally to most people, so start practicing early using our Ultimate Guide
to Case Interview Prep.
In this article, we’ve covered:
 What is consulting, and what do consultants do?
 The benefits and downsides to a career in consulting,
 A brief overview of salaries for consultants

 Tips on how to become a consultant

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about what a consultant is or what consultants do,
leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches
will answer them.

Other people interested in finding out more about consulting found the following
pages helpful:

 Why Consulting?
 Types of Consulting Firms
 Management Consulting Salaries
 What Is a Case Interview?
 Our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep
  List of Top Consulting Firms – A Resource for Finding Firms to Apply To

IT Consulting
IT consulting, also referred to as technology consulting, relates to services
aimed at helping clients on how they can utilise their information technology
(IT) to optimally achieve their business goals. The IT consulting segment
contains both advisory and implementation services, although the latter
represents the overlarge majority of the market's size. Examples of IT
consulting services include business process automation, digital risk
management, systems implementationa and IT enterprise security.
IT consulting services
The market for IT consulting services consists of six main disciplines: IT
Advisory, ERP Services, Data Analytics, Software Management, Systems
Integration and Enterprise Architecture. An overview of the key expertise
areas per discipline:
IT consulting market
The market for IT consulting services is estimated to be worth $48.2 billion,
which comes down to approximately 21% of the global consulting market.
Following an increase in demand in 2011 and 2012, growth rates are
forecasted to decline further every year between 2012 and 2015. Overall the
outlook remains for IT consulting positive though, mainly the result of interest
in large technology trends such as social media, analytics, mobile and cloud.
Note that the definitions applied for IT consulting play a central role in the size
assigned to the market. Kennedy – the source followed by Consultancy.uk
– defines IT consulting in a relatively narrow manner, as a result the market is
valued at less than a quarter of the industry. Other analysts typically apply a
broader definition, and therefore they value IT consulting at between 40% to
50% of the market*. Irrespective of the exact metrics followed, there is
consenses on two main principles: IT consulting excludes repeatable services
(distinguishing it from the IT industry) and outsourced services.

What does an IT consultant do?

IT consultants are hired by clients to support them with using information
technology in order to meet business objectives or overcome problems. The
type of work can range from strategic (such as developing a new IT strategy
or Big Data approach for strategic goals) to tactical (such as the
implementation of an ERP system or the selection of an IT system) to highly
operational (such as the development of a mobile application).

IT consulting firms
As IT is increasingly more important as an enabler for realising business
goals, consulting firms have in general over the past decade or so both
broadened and deepened their IT capabilities. Analysts typically distinguish
between three types of IT consulting firms: the large global players that
specialise in Information Technology, firms that have a separate IT
consulting unit and niche IT players - local players that either focus on a
specific discipline or market.
See the 'Technology' section under Consulting Firms for a list of renowned IT
consulting firms.
Quick summary of this article
A brief snapshot of what an IT consultant is, and how to become one:
 IT consultants provide strategic guidance on technical processes to support company
goals.
 UK consultants have an average salary of £43,468* and can progress to senior roles or
self-employment.
  Become an IT consultant by getting a relevant degree and gaining work experience in
industry.
 Specialising in a specific area, getting certifications and building a network can give you
a competitive edge.
 Skills that can enhance your employability include project management, communication
and problem-solving.
Understanding the role of an IT consultant
In today's rapidly advancing digital world, companies rely heavily on technology to drive
innovation and stay competitive. IT consultants play a vital role in this area, helping
organisations navigate the complexities of technology and maximise its potential.
If you have an interest in technology and problem-solving, a career as an IT consultant might be
the perfect fit for you. Find out what IT consultants do, the skills and qualifications required to
become one, and discover why IT consulting can be a highly rewarding and promising career
path.
What does an IT consultant do?
IT consultants are experts in technology who provide strategic guidance to businesses – from
start-ups to established businesses and larger companies. They work closely with their clients to
understand business goals, identify IT-related issues, and develop effective solutions to increase
productivity.

Consultants often work on a project basis, collaborating with different teams and departments to
ensure the successful implementation of technology initiatives. The ability to communicate
complex systems and technical concepts in a clear and concise manner is crucial for an IT
consultant job.

Some of the common tasks that IT consultants perform include:

Assessing and analysing technology infrastructure and systems.

Developing and implementing technology strategies to meet business objectives.
Troubleshooting and resolving hardware or software issues.
Providing guidance on cybersecurity and data protection.
Assisting with the selection and implementation of software and hardware solutions.
Training staff on new technologies and operating systems.
How do I become an IT consultant?
Becoming an IT consultant requires a combination of education, work experience, and technical
expertise. Here are the steps you can take to embark on this career path:
1. Get a relevant degree
An online undergraduate bachelor's degree in computer science, business information systems,
or a related field is often required to become an IT consultant.
Degrees in these topics will give you a solid foundation of technical knowledge and problem-
solving skills, which are crucial for success in this field.

Explore IT degrees
2. Gain practical work experience
Practical work experience gives you a competitive edge, showing future employers your
initiative and willingness to learn. While studying, look for internships or entry-level part-time
positions that allow you to:
 gain hands-on work experience in the IT field
 apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios
 get to know industry-specific tools, technologies, and best practices.

Internships also give you the chance to build a professional network by connecting with
experienced professionals, opening doors to future career opportunities, mentorship, and industry
insights.
3. Specialise in an area
IT consulting encompasses various subfields, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, or data
analytics. Consider specialising in one of these areas to differentiate yourself and develop
expertise in a specific domain. At LIBF, you have the freedom to specialise while studying by
selecting elective modules that appeal most to your career goals.
4. Get certified
Certifications allow you to demonstrate your skills and expertise in specific areas of technology,
and provide assurance to companies and employers that you have the necessary experience to
handle complex IT projects. There are numerous certification options available across different
domains of IT consulting, including cybersecurity, network management, cloud computing, data
analytics, and more.

Some certifications can come with membership to professional organisations, which can provide
access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and continuous learning to stay updated
with the latest advancements in the field.
5. Build a professional network
Attend industry conferences, join professional organisations, and connect with other IT
professionals and technology consultants to expand your network and stay updated on the latest
trends and opportunities. Building a professional network is also a great way to meet potential
clients and recruitment agencies.
Consulting is a term for providing business advice on various topics including,
corporate strategy, product development, marketing, information technology, and
operational improvement. But what most people mean when they talk about
consulting is management consulting.

Management consulting firms include top strategy firms such as Bain, BCG, and
McKinsey. These firms hire business-savvy problem-solvers to help their clients:

 Define the problems or opportunities their businesses face,

 Collect and analyze data to better understand the problem/opportunity and
identify a recommended course of action, and
 Plan the implementation of that solution across the company.
Think of consultants as “doctors” for businesses – brought in to diagnose the root
cause of an issue and then prescribe and implement treatments.

My Consulting Offer’s coaches have experience as consultants at Bain, BCG,

McKinsey, and various other management consulting firms. We can give you
insight into the industry and tell you what consultants do.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

 What is consulting?
 What do consultants do?
 Benefits of a career in consulting
 Downsides to consulting work
 Typical management consulting salaries
 How to become a consultant
Let’s get started!

What Is Consulting?
There are multiple ways to answer the question “What is consulting?” To dig
deeper, let’s continue with our analogy of consultants as doctors for businesses.
 1. Assessment of symptoms: A client knows they’ve got a business
problem (such as declining revenue or a new competitor in their market).
They turn to a consultant for help getting to the root of the problem, as a
sick patient would turn to a doctor.
2. Diagnosis: The consultant assesses the client’s business performance,
taking into account similar problems they’ve seen at clients in the past, like
a doctor would check their patient’s symptoms against known illnesses.
3. Prescription: The consultant recommends a course of action to improve
revenues or meet a competitive threat, much like a doctor would tell their
patient what’s wrong with them and prescribe medicine or recommend a
medical procedure.
4. Bedside manner: The consultant has the experience to steer a client to
the right course of action as a doctor would advise a nervous patient.
5. Follow-up care: The consultant provides the client with a step-by-step
process to improve their business results, much like a doctor provides a
patient with the steps necessary to regain their health.
Why does anyone trust a doctor? Because they are experts in their field and
have extensively studied the human body, the injuries and illnesses that can
afflict it, medicines, and surgical procedures.

Consultants, similarly, are business experts. They can lead the client through a
fact-based analysis of their business problem and the evaluation of alternative
courses of action. They can also leverage their firm’s collective knowledge to
bring extensive industry and functional expertise to bear to solve the problem.
In addition, consultants can provide expert capabilities on topics that businesses
rarely face.
For example, a manufacturing company might only consider a merger or
acquisition once every 10 years. Because of this, it doesn’t make sense for them
to have M&A experts on staff full-time. But mergers and acquisitions are high-
impact business decisions that a client won’t want to get wrong. Consulting firms
look at M&A deals all the time, and by hiring consultants, a client can access this
specialized expertise when needed.

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What Do Consultants Do?
Consultants solve complex business problems using their expertise and
knowledge in specific industries or functions. This ranges from cutting costs to
growing sales or evaluating a new market the client is considering entering.

Let’s explore this question by walking through a sample case from start to finish.

Sample Case: Concert-mania

Concert-mania, Inc. runs several music festivals featuring big-name recording
artists each year. Recently, they transitioned to cashless events, with customers
paying for tickets, food, drinks, and merchandise with credit cards.
Concert-mania wants to leverage its new digital capabilities to increase revenue
and optimize its staffing and operations during festivals.
How would a consulting team help Concert-mania to take its use of digital tools
and data to the next level?
1. Assessment of Symptoms: Consultants define the problem.
2. Diagnosis: Consultants collect and analyze data.
3. Prescription: Consultants recommend a course of action.
4. Bedside Manner: Consultants gain consensus among the client’s
leadership team.
5. Follow-up care: Consultants help implement recommendations, if
necessary.

Assessment of Symptoms: Consultants Define the

Problem
Suppose Concert-mania knows it can do more to take advantage of digital tools
than just make festivals cash free. But management disagrees about what
opportunities would be the best to pursue.

The head of marketing wants to use digital tools to increase revenue at each
festival by making it easier for attendees to buy drinks and merchandise, and
encouraging them to buy more. The head of operations, on the other hand, wants
to use digital tools to reduce costs. Quicker transaction speed means less staff
will be required in the beer tents and merchandise booths.

Part of the value consultants provide is quickly assessing the opportunities. By

doing an 80/20 estimation of the value of digital tools and whether the high-value
opportunities lie in increasing revenue, decreasing cost, or both, the consultants
can help ensure the entire management team is focused on the right problem.
The importance of quick but reasonably accurate assessments of alternative
courses of action is why market-sizing cases are used in consulting interviews.

Diagnosis: Consultants Collect and Analyze Data

While an 80/20 estimation of the opportunity is enough to define the problem and
get the client and consulting team organized to solve it, further analysis is
needed. At this stage, consultants dig deep into data that is often hard to gather
or not clean/organized enough to yield insight without significant work.

For instance, the Concert-mania consultants might attend a festival or two, not to
see the performances, but to count the number of people in line for beer and
merchandise, time the speed of transactions, and measure the frequency of
stock-outs to assess how much revenue might increase if digital technology was
used to streamline operations. They’d also evaluate alternative technologies to
determine which would work best.

Consultants will talk with the marketing and operations teams to get the client’s
input on the improvement opportunities and best tools. They’ll also talk to clients
to find out what they like or dislike about how festivals are run and the changes
under consideration.

The team will calculate the expected revenue increase and cost savings, and
compare them to the cost of investing in digital tools to evaluate whether there
will be a positive return on investment.

Prescription: Consultants Recommend a Course of

Action
After completing a robust, data-based analysis of how much Concert-mania can
increase revenues or decrease costs through using digital tools, the consultants
will develop a recommended course of action and discuss it with senior
management. This course of action includes details of the implementation steps
needed for the plan to be successful.

Bedside Manner: Consultants Gains Consensus from

the Client’s Leadership Team
In the same way that consultants help to define the problem, they also help to
gain consensus around the solution.
Suppose when they defined the business problem, they found that most of the
opportunity was through increasing revenue, not reducing costs. Nonetheless,
the marketing group can’t implement the new digital tools on its own. The
operations group needs to be on board because their staff will operate the beer
tent and the merchandise booths.

If the operations group’s input into the best tools and new processes isn’t taken
into account, the project rollout will not be successful, and the festival’s net
income won’t change. It’s also critical that all parts of the client organization see
the decisions as being driven by data, not by management favoring one
department over another. This is why consulting firms hire people who are great
problem-solvers and consensus builders.

Follow-up Care: Consultants Help Implement

Recommendations
When Concert-mania decides to adopt new digital tools to increase revenues,
there’s still a lot of work to do. This work includes buying the tools, customizing
them for their operations, and training staff on how to use them.

The consultants on the Concert-mania study will lay out a step-by-step plan to
implement the recommendations. This plan will identify the capital and staff time
needed to purchase and customize tools and roll them out. It will also include a
timeline for the final implementation.

As you can see from this example, consultants don’t just solve problems. They
also ensure they are solving the right problem, being data-driven in their
recommendation, getting the entire client organization on board, and assisting
with implementation.

If needed, they will also help the company learn new skills so they can hire or
build the new capabilities they’ll need to succeed in the future. Consulting is all
about helping the client build a self-sustained, well-run business.

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Examples of the Impact of Consultants
How BCG Helped Starbucks Create the Starbucks App
If you’ve ever ordered a drink from Starbucks, you’ve most likely benefited from
the application development that BCG helped Starbucks implement.

Starbucks hired BCG to help develop its personalized recommendations. The

goal was to increase revenue by engaging and attracting more long-term
customers by giving them more personalized experiences every time they open
their app to order a drink.

Have you ever been lured into purchasing a drink by the Starbucks app?
Convinced you need another mocha latte by a double-star promotion? Or played
one of the games to earn that big bonus or free Starbucks for a month?

The Starbucks application collects data, including your most-purchased

beverages, the time between your purchases, and even the time of day that you
most frequently purchase drinks. All this data and more are analyzed so that
Starbucks can monetize your caffeine addiction.

“The personalized games have helped to triple Starbucks’s

marketing campaign results, double email redemptions, and
generate a threefold increase in the incremental spending of
customers who redeem offers. The results come with increased
marketing effectiveness, enabling Starbucks to reduce its mass-
marketing spending and invest in more-personalized marketing
dollars with the right customers, thus incentivizing the right
behaviors.”
Source: “Profiting from Personalization” on BCG.com
If someone asks “What is consulting?”, use the Starbucks app as an example of
something that may influence them every day without them even knowing. The
impact of consulting is all around us; most of the time, it’s just behind the scenes.

McKinsey’s Generation Project Helps Alleviate Youth

Unemployment
Another example of the impact of consulting is McKinsey’s Generation project, an
independent nonprofit organization they founded in 2012. Generation focuses on
tackling the most persistent barriers encountered by youth searching for stable
employment.

McKinsey saw a huge gap between education and employment rates between
young people of different socio-economic backgrounds. This gap can lead to a
lack of motivation, poor job performance, and an unsatisfactory career at an
underpaid job.

To bridge this gap, McKinsey developed a crash course on the key vocational
skills needed in high-demand jobs with good salaries. They also partnered with
companies that needed workers with those skills to ensure there would be
positions available for graduates.

Today, Generation has graduated over 38,000 people from its programs,
employs over 300 people, and operates in 14 countries, from Brazil to India to
Australia. 93% of Generation learners were unemployed when entering the
program, and 84% of graduates are placed in jobs within 3 months of completion
at salaries two to six times higher than their previous earnings. At the one-year
mark, close to 70 percent continue to be employed.
“Generation is McKinsey’s most ambitious social-responsibility
commitment to transform people’s lives and communities through
the power of stable, meaningful work.”
Source: Generation.org

Generation 2.0 — ReGeneration

The Generation Program has been so successful that they have also created
ReGeneration, an initiative for mid-career learners over age 35. Regeneration
provides a free 1-3 month boot camp that trains someone for a completely new
and skilled job.

How do you train someone for a new, skilled job quickly? Mona Mourshed,
former McKinsey consultant and the founding CEO of Generation, explains. “The
students are learning from 9 to 5, five days a week. And the emphasis is on
simulations, role-playing, projects, and activities as opposed to just learning
theory. They focus “on activities as opposed to skills.”

“Here’s what we know,” stated Ms. Mourshed. “There’s often a misconception

that midcareer learners are less able to master new skills. That is completely
untrue.” Among the advantages that older workers bring, she points out, are
“greater life experiences and judgment.”

The next time you’re asked, “What is management consulting?” talk about the
Generation project. This is just one of hundreds of examples of the impact that
consultants have on humanity, and they are worth talking about!

7 Benefits of a Career in Consulting

There are many benefits to going into consulting as a career:
1.
1. Impact. Few jobs allow you to leave a legacy of your work behind at
some of the biggest companies in the world, especially as a new
college graduate.
2. Continuous learning. Consulting firms know the value of knowledge
and are committed to training their employees. Consultants learn
constantly, both from formal training and from on-the-job problem-
solving. Benefits of the job include being surrounded by smart people
and the amount of knowledge you get to absorb every day.
 3. Travel. The life of a consultant takes you all over the world.
Opportunities include ambassadorship programs that allow you to work
in an international office, study abroad programs, and global clientele.
4. Friendships. These are built during your first few weeks at a consulting
firm. They grow as you work together or attend social events and
progress through your careers.
5. Mentorship. Mentorship relationships also start early on. Sometimes
you are paired with a mentor, and sometimes mentorship relationships
develop organically with leaders on your team. These relationships can
help you throughout your career.
6. Educational opportunities. Typically consulting firms sponsor
business school or additional educational opportunities for consulting
staff in exchange for a time commitment to the firm.
7. Exit opportunities. Exit opportunities are the jobs you take when you
leave consulting. They include working for clients, other firms in an
industry you’ve done projects on, private equity, and more. It’s
celebrated when consultants move on to work for clients, continuing the
long-lasting relationship between the consulting firm and client
organizations. Sometimes consultants transition out of consulting after
a year or two, and sometimes they leave after 10 years to take C-suite
positions.

Famous Ex-consultants on the Benefits of Consulting

Take note from some of consulting’s most recognizable and influential names:

“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s

also a very clear path to happiness.”
Sheryl Sandberg, former McKinsey consultant and current COO of Facebook,
from her book, Lean In.

“Opportunities – the good ones – are messy, confusing and hard to

recognize. They’re risky. They challenge you.”
Susan Wojcicki, former Bain consultant and current CEO of YouTube, from her
commencement speech to the Johns Hopkins University Class of 2014.

Consulting can be an extremely challenging career, but ultimately can be

gratifying because it allows you to contribute to the world and solve some of its
most challenging problems.
Downsides to Life as a Consultant
A career in consulting can be exciting and impactful! However, all things come at
a cost, and it’s important to weigh whether the benefits are worth the downsides
that come with the career:

 Long working hours

 Heavy travel
 Time away from family and friends
 An inconsistent schedule
 Not getting to see the long-term results of your work
 The potential for burn-out
Early in your career in consulting, you sacrifice personal time for what may be
one of the highest-paid salaries of all of your recent grad friends. But many
consultants feel pressured to work long hours to solve clients’ problems and
struggle with work-life balance. Over time, most consultants get better at finding
balance.

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What Is a Typical Consulting Salary?
Typically, we see base salaries for associate-level consultants in the U.S. of
$110,000. We see MBA grads receive consulting salaries of $190,000.
Consultants received performance bonuses on top of base pay.

For more details, you can see Management Consulting Salaries.

7 Tips on How to Break into Consulting

1. Ask yourself whether consulting is right for you. The rewards of
working as a management consultant are great, but do they outweigh the
downsides of the job for you?

2. Identify your area of interest or expertise. Do you want to be a

generalist consultant, or do you have a background/interest in healthcare,
 telecom, or another industry or functional area? Knowing your personal
interests will allow you to better tailor your consulting resume and
applications to highlight them.
3. Check for early deadlines. Management consulting firms tend to have
very early application deadlines, and there is no second chance if you miss
them. Check with your school’s career department or the firms’ websites.
4. Create your resume and cover letter. You will use this to “sell” yourself
to people working with the consulting firms you’d like to join. Creating this
upfront solidifies your interest in consulting and makes your application
more likely to get picked for interviews. See our article on Consulting
Cover Letters to get started.
5. Network Network Network. Reach out to consultants who attended your
alma mater or with whom you have connections. They will help you gain
further insight into consulting as a career and their firm’s culture. For more
information, see our article on Consulting Networking.
6. Apply. Submit a polished application to the firms where you’d like to work
based on the insights your gained.

7. Learn to case. Learning to structure your problem-solving is key to

passing consulting interviews and landing an offer. It does not come
naturally to most people, so start practicing early using our Ultimate Guide
to Case Interview Prep.
In this article, we’ve covered:
 What is consulting, and what do consultants do?
 The benefits and downsides to a career in consulting,
 A brief overview of salaries for consultants

 Tips on how to become a consultant

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about what a consultant is or what consultants do,
leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches
will answer them.

Other people interested in finding out more about consulting found the following
pages helpful:

 Why Consulting?
 Types of Consulting Firms
 Management Consulting Salaries
 What Is a Case Interview?
 Our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep
  List of Top Consulting Firms – A Resource for Finding Firms to Apply To

10 Ways Hiring an IT Consultant

Can Help Transform Your Business
The benefits of IT consultant services have become an important part of the growing
business culture. A consultant, by definition, is “a person who provides expert
advice”; and businesses have come to trust consultants in times when niche
expertise or an outside perspective is needed. This has allowed businesses to save
time and money, as well as increase competitiveness and professionalism.

In recent years, the benefits of IT consulting services have gained increasing

importance as Information Technology (IT) has transformed how businesses
operate. Keeping up with the trends and ever-changing landscape can be a full-time
job, and maintaining a full-time IT professional service department to ensure your
company remains competitive, can be very expensive. Hiring an IT consultant who
has the necessary expertise, can guide your company to become more efficient,
and help increase your return on investment (ROI).

1. Focus on Core Business Functions

No matter what business or industry you are in, employees perform best when
focusing on their core competencies. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, office managers,
and almost all other employees are the most productive working on what they do
best. The frustrating and distracting task of trying to figure out Information
Technology has a very real opportunity cost. By hiring an IT consultant, your
employees can focus their time on their core job and increase your bottom line.

2. Enjoy Help From a Specialist

Having an IT department can be great when you need the printer fixed right away,
but that same person likely won’t have, for example, the cloud
solutions experience to help reduce on-site infrastructure and operational
expenses. The benefit of IT consulting services is that an experienced IT consultant
likely has completed several previous projects similar to your current situation.
Knowing that your business is being guided by an industry expert can give both
peace of mind and increase the likelihood of success.

3. Get an Outside Take on Your Operations

Technology can be a disrupting factor, not just in business, but in society. Just
because something has been done a specific way for years, doesn’t mean it can’t
be done in a more efficient and effective way. Hiring an IT consultant can lend a
new perspective based on their experience supporting a variety of project and
industry best practices, and help your organization increase growth and improve
overall efficiency.

4. Cost Effective
The benefit of IT consulting services goes well beyond the cost reduction of their
efficiency strategies. Paying for a salary, benefits, workspace, and all other
expenses to a full-time employee can be very expensive. Hiring an IT consultant is
needed to tackle a particular problem within a specific timeframe, which allows for
more cost-effective and efficient uses of time.

5. Increased Security
Managed cybersecurity has never been more prevalent and critical than in 2017.
Large corporations are not the only ones at risk; small businesses actually get
targeted in 62% of all cyber-attacks and according to U.S. National Cyber Security
Alliance, 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyber-attack are out of
business in 6 months . Hiring an IT consultant who specializes in cybersecurity can
conduct an assessment of your network to identify possible vulnerabilities, establish
data security protocols, and help develop a disaster recovery solution. They can
also train your employees on how to identify viruses or other potentially dangerous
malware.

6. Improve Productivity and Efficiency

IT consultants are experts on new technologies and their jobs are dependent on
helping companies find new ways to increase productivity and efficiencies.
Technologies that achieve these goals range from file servers, central databases,
mobile platforms, and many others. To best realize the benefits of these complex
technologies, they need to be planned, implemented, and managed the right way.

7. Experience and Expertise

Identifying what steps of your business processes can be eliminated for efficiency
requires experience from prior projects with similar aspects. This way they can
confidently recommend a solution that will fit your business the best, they have
knowledge of how to best implement the solution, what mistakes to avoid, and can
train your team on how to best use the new application. Hiring an IT consultant is
the best way to ensure that your project runs smoothly, is being delivered on time,
and your company receives the best possible ROI.
8. Access to a Wider Breadth of Knowledge
In business, economies of scale give you an advantage, but the high barriers of
entry keep small businesses from benefitting. This is also true in the IT world. IT
consulting firms can afford to keep the best experts on staff as they distribute them
amongst multiple accounts. As a small business, the benefits of hiring an IT
consulting service allow you to gain access to the very best expertise without
committing long term like hiring a full-time employee. In this model, even small
businesses can tap into economies of scale and gain the benefits from the very best
of advice as the expert is shared amongst multiple businesses. Even if you have the
most competent network engineer on staff, he’s not likely an expert in cyber
security, cloud migrations, mobile platforms etc. A consultant allows your business
to access expertise outside your regular areas, but you don’t have to pay for the
consultants when you don’t need them.

9. Attract and Retain Employees

Employees want to do what they were hired to do. Smaller companies that are
growing quickly tend to give its employees more “hats to wear” and responsibilities
as time goes on. This is rarely a sustainable model as your accountant was hired to
be in charge of your bookkeeping and not to figure out networking issues. This often
leads to unhappy employees and poorly configured IT systems that result in
downtime and low efficiency. Hiring an IT consultant can solve your efficiency
problems by implementing the right solutions and it will also help you retain your
employees from “moving to the company next door” that offers them challenges that
are within their field of interest.

10. Managing IT Staff

Managing IT staff adds an additional burden to managers of other departments as
they are not aware or not interested in typical metrics that determine the success of
an IT staff’s work. Additionally, much like adding other employees, there is an added
cost for paid time off, benefits, bonuses, etc that do not come into play with a
consulting company.

Which expert is the right one? IT

consulting firms have what you
need.
Choosing the right IT consultant can be difficult because it’s often difficult to
distinguish between different consultants. So, instead of trying to find the right
consultant, why not look for a reputable IT consulting company? Dataprise is an
experienced IT consulting company and Managed Service Provider (MSP) with
more than 300 IT infrastructure support consultants and subject matter experts on
staff, and we can provide the right resource to match your new project
requirements.

What are the benefits of IT consulting services?

As an MSP, Dataprise can also manage your project from start to finish, and also
offer maintenance and support to provide incredible long-term value.

Information Technology is a rapidly-changing and complicated landscape, which is

often best left for experts. If consultants never delivered on their promises, they
would be out of business, so it’s important to partner with a reputable consultant
with a proven track record.

Dataprise for Your IT Consultant Needs

Dataprise has been a leader in the IT industry for the past 22 years and delivers the
benefits of IT consulting services throughout the United States. Dataprise is now
offering free IT consultations for a limited time.

Hire an IT Consultant for Your Business

Fill out our contact form or reach out to us at 888-519-8111 to find out how
Dataprise can help you Win with IT .

Featured Resources

Consultant job description

A consultant is a professional who undertakes projects to address

various needs and provides expert advice in their field. They analyze
situations, collect data, and present comprehensive solutions.
Consultants possess expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to
communicate effectively to improve business functionality and success.

47,217
 Hiring for this role?POST THIS JOB FOR FREE

or

Looking for your next dream job?SEARCH FOR JOBS

NIKOLETTA BIKA

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively

about all things HR and recruiting.


REFRESHED ON

May 29, 2023

REVIEWED BY

EFTYCHIA KARAVELAKI

Senior Recruitment Manager

 This Consultant job description template is optimized for posting to
online job boards or careers pages and easy to customize for your
company.

What is a consultant?
A consultant is a knowledgeable professional who provides expert
advice and undertakes projects to address a variety of needs. They
possess expertise in their field and offer a fresh perspective to analyze
situations and propose suitable solutions. Consultants work closely with
clients to understand their requirements, collect necessary data, and
develop comprehensive strategies to improve business performance and
functionality.

What does a consultant do?

Consultants are responsible for undertaking short-term or long-term
projects to address various issues and needs. They meet with
management or relevant staff to understand requirements, conduct data
analysis, and present findings to executives. Consultants provide advice,
formulate plans for implementation, and offer suggestions for
improvement. They may also arrange training and periodically evaluate
the situation to make necessary adjustments. Overall, consultants
leverage their expertise and analytical skills to provide valuable insights
and solutions to clients in their field of expertise.

Consultant responsibilities include:

 Undertaking short-term or long-term projects to address a variety of
issues and needs
 Meeting with management or appropriate staff to understand their
requirements
 Using interviews, surveys etc. to collect necessary data
Want to generate a unique job description?
GENERATE ONE IN SECONDS WITH AI

Looking for a job?

FIND RELATED JOBS IN WORKABLE’S JOB BOARD

Job brief
We are looking for a knowledgeable Consultant to give solid advice in
their field of expertise. You will be responsible for analyzing a situation
and providing a fresh perspective. You will discover the most suitable
solutions whether it is proposing a new IT system or implementing a full
strategic plan.

A great consultant is an expert in matters concerning their field. They

have an excellent skill in identifying the cause of problems and
presenting their solutions in a comprehensive and detailed manner.
 The goal is to help our business be more functional and successful.

Responsibilities
 Undertake short-term or long-term projects to address a variety of issues
and needs
 Meet with management or appropriate staff to understand their
requirements
 Use interviews, surveys etc. to collect necessary data
 Conduct situational and data analysis to identify and understand a
problem or issue
 Present and explain findings to appropriate executives
 Provide advice or suggestions for improvement according to objectives
 Formulate plans to implement recommendations and overcome
objections
 Arrange for or provide training to people affected by change
 Evaluate the situation periodically and make adjustments when needed
 Replenish knowledge of industry, products and field
Requirements and skills
 Proven experience as consultant
 Experience in project management
 Thorough knowledge of field of expertise and willingness to keep abreast
of advancements
 Knowledge of data analysis and research techniques
 Knowledge of business software and IT systems
 Ability to develop detailed proposals and plans
 Excellent organizational and coordination skills
 Analytical and creative
 A great listener with ability to communicate with people of diverse
disciplines
 BSc/BA in business or relevant discipline; Further qualifications in a
specialized field will be a plus
 Certification in consulting or field of expertise is an advantage

What Is an IT Consultant? (Plus How To Become One)

Written by

Indeed Editorial Team

Updated July 8, 2024

A career in information technology can provide opportunities to collaborate with people

frequently and offer advice about technology use to companies and organizations. One
common job title in information technology is an IT consultant, who typically works with
organizations or institutions that use technology systems for their business operations. You
might thrive in a career as an IT consultant if you have an interest in technology and enjoy
working with others. In this article, we define what an IT consultant is and explore how to
become one.Key takeaways:

 An IT consultant is a professional who assists clients with technology

projects; this involves providing recommendations on new technologies,
software and devices based on clients' needs.
 To become an IT consultant, you will generally need a degree in a
relevant field, professional experience through entry-level IT jobs or
internships, and certification to set yourself apart from other candidates.
 The key skills for this role include attention to detail, problem solving,
critical thinking, and time management, as well as technical knowledge
and proficiency in technical repairs.
 

Related jobs on Indeed

Technical Support jobs

Computer Technician jobs

IT Auditor jobs

IT Analyst jobs

View more jobs on Indeed

What is an IT consultant?
An IT consultant is a technology professional who supports clients during technological projects.
Many IT consultants work for companies or businesses that need guidance when making
decisions about the technology they use. An IT consultant can find work by joining an IT
consultancy firm, or they might operate as independent contractors and choose their own
projects. Because technology is continuously changing, IT consultants can provide their clients
with updates about new technology as it becomes available and recommend new devices or
software based on their clients' needs.

What does an IT consultant do?

An IT consultant is responsible for helping businesses and organizations manage their
technology use. This can involve assessing elements of a company's computer systems like
cybersecurity, software performance and data and analytics that can affect how a business
might benefit from the technology they use. IT consultants spend a large portion of their job
meeting with clients to discuss the next steps they plan to take in updating and maintaining their
technology, where they can offer advice about which new technological developments might
contribute to their success.An IT consultant might also perform repairs on IT systems and
technological devices that companies need to conduct business.

Work environment for IT consultants

The work environment for an IT consultant typically depends on the client that they're serving.
For example, if they work with a company that has its own office building, they might spend time
there for meetings and assessments and complete any technical projects at an offsite location.
IT consultants who are independent contractors might complete some of their work from home,
as they can conduct phone calls, perform research and write technology recommendations for
companies from their personal computers and devices. An IT consultant might also work at a
consultancy firm with teams of other IT consultants.Related: Learn About The Information
Technology Field

How to become an IT consultant

Here's how you can start your career as an IT consultant:

1. Earn a degree

Enroll in a degree program with an accredited college or university. While some IT consultants
might be able to find work with a high school diploma or GED equivalent, most companies
require IT consultants to have at least a bachelor's degree. Many aspiring IT consultants choose
to major in computer science, IT or software engineering so that they can gain the skills and
training they need to succeed in the field. However, you might also decide to major in a related
subject like electronic engineering, business studies or mathematics.

2. Gain professional experience

Apply for entry-level jobs in information technology after you graduate with your bachelor's
degree. This can allow you to build your expertise and develop your skills through professional
experience in the field. You might apply for a job as an IT assistant, entry-level software
engineer or computer technician to enter the industry and learn about which career paths are
most interesting to you. This stage can also introduce you to various industries, which can help
you in your work as an IT consultant by determining which industries you enjoy working
with.Another option is to find an apprenticeship or internship with a working IT consultant, which
can give you the education and training you need by observing a professional in the field and
engaging in practical work.Related: 10 Jobs in Information Technology (With Descriptions)

3. Obtain certification

Apply for certification as an IT professional. Certification is often voluntary for IT consultants, but
having certification can make you stand out among other candidates who are not certified and
might increase your chances of being hired. Most certifications in information technology involve
completing coursework and training and many require candidates to have a certain number of
years of professional experience before they apply. Here are a few certifications you might
pursue as an IT consultant:

 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
 SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
 Project Management Professional (PMP)

4. Apply for work as an IT consultant

Search for job openings for IT consultants and apply to any that seem like a good fit for you.
One great way to find work as an IT consultant is to reach out to IT consulting firms to inquire
about any openings they might have. Working for an IT consulting firm can connect you to
potential clients as well as other IT professionals. You might also want to work as
an independent contractor, which can require you to find clients who need an IT consultant
through internet searches, cold calls and email communications.

Skills that an IT consultant needs

Here are some common skills that IT consultants need for their jobs:
  Proficiency in technical repairs
 Current knowledge of technological advancements
 Attention to detail
 Problem-solving skills
 Critical thinking skills
 Effective time management
 Interpersonal and communication skills
Related: Information Technology Skills That Are In-Demand Today

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Salary and job outlook for IT consultants

As there are a few different job titles IT consultants can hold, Indeed lists various salaries for IT
consultants. Many IT consultants also qualify for benefits outside of their competitive salaries,
such as health insurance, paid time off and a flexible spending account. Here are a few national
average salaries for IT consultants in the United States:

 IT analyst: $78,617 per year

 Implementation consultant: $81,753 per year
 IT auditor: $97,834 per year
 Salesforce consultant: $105,175 per year
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also lists the job outlooks for various job titles that IT consultants
can hold. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of people employed
as information security analysts to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, which is an exceptionally
high rate of growth. The Bureau also states that employment for computer and information
systems managers could grow by 10% from 2019 to 2029, which is also fairly rapid.Another
example from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is the job title of computer support specialist, which
they predict could grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029.

Comparing the Roles: IT Consultant vs. Tech Consultant

Diving into the tech industry, you’ll find a plethora of job titles that may seem

synonymous but can have distinct roles and responsibilities. Two such roles are IT

consultants and tech consultants. An IT consultant, or Information Technology

consultant, primarily focuses on advising businesses on how best to use IT to meet their

business objectives. They design and implement IT systems, troubleshoot technical

issues, and provide strategic guidance concerning technology-related decisions.

On the other hand, tech consultants, while also providing advice and solutions, have a

broader scope. They may work across various technology sectors, including IT, but also

delve into areas like software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and

more. Tech consultants are often involved in the integration of multiple technological

systems, offering expertise and advice on a wider range of tech-related challenges.

While both roles require a strong understanding of technology and its application in

business, the main difference lies in their scope of work: IT consultants are more

specialized, while tech consultants have a broader technological purview.

Industries Served: IT Consulting vs. Tech Consulting

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the distinction between IT consulting and tech

consulting is becoming increasingly blurred. IT consulting primarily focuses on advising

businesses on how best to use information technology to meet their business

objectives. This often includes managing and implementing IT systems on behalf of the

client. Tech consulting, on the other hand, is a broader field encompassing a range of
services, from strategic guidance on technology, IT infrastructure, software

development, to information management.

While the two may seem similar, the key difference lies in the scope of services. IT

consulting is a subset of tech consulting, focusing specifically on technology and

information systems. Tech consulting, meanwhile, takes a more holistic approach,

considering all aspects of a business’s technology strategy. It’s crucial for businesses to

understand these differences when seeking consulting services, ensuring they choose

the right expertise for their specific needs.

Making the Choice: Is IT Consulting or Tech Consulting Right for You?

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, many professionals find themselves

at a crossroads, trying to decide between IT consulting and tech consulting.

The choice is not as binary as it seems, as both fields offer unique

opportunities and challenges. IT consulting primarily focuses on advising

businesses on how best to use information technology to meet their business

objectives. On the other hand, tech consulting is a broader field that

encompasses IT but also extends to advising on technologies that may not

necessarily be IT-related, such as biotech, nanotech, and cleantech.

Understanding your strengths and interests is crucial in making this decision.

If you have a knack for problem-solving and a deep understanding of business

processes, IT consulting could be the right path for you. It involves strategic
guidance, implementation, management, and optimization of IT systems.

Conversely, if you have a broader interest in technology beyond just IT, tech

consulting might be a better fit. This field requires a holistic understanding of

technology trends and their potential impact across various sectors.

Ultimately, the choice between IT consulting and tech consulting comes down

to your personal career goals and technological passion.

Future Trends: How IT and Tech Consulting are Evolving

The landscape of IT and tech consulting is rapidly changing, driven by emerging

technologies and shifting business needs. As we look at the future trends, two key

themes are emerging: digital transformation and cybersecurity. Digital transformation is

no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative. Businesses are seeking IT consultants to

guide them through the complex process of integrating digital technologies into all areas

of their business. This trend is not just about implementing new technology, but also

about fundamentally changing how businesses operate and deliver value to customers.

Cybersecurity, on the other hand, is becoming a top priority as businesses become

increasingly digital. The rise in cyber threats and data breaches is pushing businesses

to seek expert advice on how to protect their digital assets. IT and tech consultants are

therefore evolving to become strategic partners, providing not just technical advice, but

also helping businesses navigate the complex digital landscape. They are leveraging

technologies such as AI and machine learning to predict and mitigate cyber risks, and
are also advising businesses on regulatory compliance, thus playing a crucial role in

shaping the future of businesses.

IT Consultant
Technology consultants, also known as IT, ICT, or digital consultants, focus
on helping clients with the development and application of Information
Technology (IT) within their organisation. IT consultants focus on transitions
(projects) in the ICT-landscape, contrary to regular IT-employees, who work
on day-to-day IT operations (so-called ‘business as usual’ activities). The
majority of ICT-consultants work on implementation projects, for instance,
extensive ERP systems applications, where their role may vary from project
management to process management or system integration. Within IT
consulting, the fastest growing markets are digital, data analytics (also known
as data science), cyber security and IT forensics.

Types of consultants
The consultancy industry is one of the most diverse markets within the
professional services industry, and, therefore, a number of different types of
consultants are found in the industry. Moreover, being a ‘consultant’ is not a
protected professional title like most other professions, making it possible for
anyone to title themselves strategy, management, business, finance, HR or IT
consultant. Given the widespread areas in which a consultant can operate,
and the variety of work places a consultant can access, there has been a
sharp rise in the number of independent consultants over the past few years.
Following wide influx into the industry, a common definition of a ‘consultant’
has become harder to reach.
Over the past few decades, branch specific associations and analysts have
developed various definitions in order to categorise the diverse types of
consultants active in the field. Consultancy.com.au adheres to the approach
used by Kennedy Information, an American research agency that has been
analysing the consultancy market since the ‘60s (for more info see the page
on the Consulting Industry). The methodology behind their approach is based
on there being six core types of consultants within the consulting industry:

Strategy Consultant
The term Strategy Consultant is used to describe consultants who operate at
the highest level of the consultancy market, with a focus on strategic topics
like corporate and organisational strategy, economic policy, government policy
and functional strategy. For this reason, strategy consultants generally carry
out work assigned by top managers such as CxOs, directors and senior
managers. Given that the nature of strategy consulting differs from the other
more implementation and operation driven areas, strategy consultants
generally have a different profile from their peers. Their focus lies more on
quantitative/analytics skills, and their job description revolves more around
giving advice than overseeing implementation.
Management Consultant
Management consultants, also known as business consultants or
organisational advisors in practice, are consultants who focus on all sorts of
organisational concerns, from strategy to a variety of elements within
management. In the methodology upheld by Kennedy as well as
Consultancy.com.au, Management Consulting is a collective term used for all
services that fall under Strategy Consulting, Operations Consulting and HR
Consulting. Therefore, more than half of all advisors can be defined as a
management consultant.
Operations Consultant
Operations consultants are consultants who help clients improve the
performance of their operations. Consultancy activities in this segment vary
from advisory services to hands-on implementation support for both primary
functions (e.g. Sales, Marketing, Production, etc.) as well as secondary
functions (e.g. Finance, HR, Supply Chain, ICT, Legal, etc.). Operations
Consultants form the largest segment within the advisory branch, and the
majority of consultants are active within one of the many underlying operating
areas. Seeing as operations consulting is often associated with the strategy
and technology sides of a company, active operations consultants regularly
work side by side with experts from these domains.
Financial Advisory Consultant
Consultants who operate in the Financial Advisory segment generally work on
questions that address financial capabilities, and, in many cases, also the
analytical capabilities within an organisation. Subsequently, the profiles of
consultants active in this segment can vary greatly, from M&A and corporate
finance advisors to risk management, tax restructuring or real estate
consultancy. Consultants specialised in forensic research and support
disputes also fall under the Financial Advisory segment. The majority of
financial consultants work for large combined accounting and consulting firms,
or else for niche advisory offices.
Human Resource Consultant
HR consultants help clients with human capital questions within their
organisations and / or with improving the performance of the HR department.
Chief topics central to the job description of HR consultants are, among
others, organisational changes, change management, terms of employment,
learning & development, talent management and retirement. HR consultants
are also brought in by organisations to help transform the business culture
within their organisation, or transform their HR department, which includes
changes in the area of organisational design, processes and systems among
others. HR and strategy consulting form the two smallest segments of the
consultancy industry, and the number of consultants active in this domain is,
therefore, lower than those in other parts of the industry.

Top 10 Advantages Of Hiring A Consultant

As a business owner, you wear many hats. You’re responsible for leading
your team to market your company, make sales, provide customer service,
and so much more. With so much on your plate, it’s no wonder that stress and
pressure are constant companions.

Wouldn’t it be great to have an expert by your side who could help you
navigate some of those responsibilities?

That’s what consultants offer businesses – a wealth of knowledge and

expertise to help you achieve your goals.

What Is Consulting?
Consulting is a professional service provided by an individual or firm to
another organization or individual, usually for a fee.

Consultants typically have expertise in a particular area, such as leadership,

marketing, human resources, finance, or information technology. They use
their skills and knowledge to assess a client’s needs and provide solutions.

Consulting services can be provided on a short-term or long-term basis. Some

consultants are hired to work on specific projects, while others may be
brought on as part-time or full-time employees.

What Do Business Consultants Do?

The role of a business consultant varies depending on the needs of the client,
but it can be more than giving advice. In general, consultants provide advice,
recommend solutions, and help businesses implement changes.
They may also be involved in coaching the leadership team, conducting
research, training employees, developing strategies, or redesigning business
processes.

The Importance of Consulting Services

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the services of a consultant. Whether
you’re a start-up or a large corporation, consultants can help you clarify and
achieve your goals.

Consulting services are particularly important for small businesses. These

businesses often don’t have the resources to hire full-time employees with the
necessary skills and knowledge. Also, small businesses may not have the
experience and knowledge they need to grow their business to the next level
or sustain that growth when they get there.

Top 10 Benefits of Consulting

How do you know when it’s time to hire a consultant for your business? Let’s
look at the top 10 benefits of consulting:

1. Expertise

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a consultant is that you get access to
their expertise. Consultants are experts in their field and can provide valuable
insights and recommendations. This is especially true if they specialize in a
specific industry or business function. From industry challenges and business
trends to day-day operations and processes optimization, consultants offer a
wealth of knowledge to help you grow your business.

2. Cost Savings

Hiring a consultant can also save you money in the long run. While there is an
initial cost to hire a consultant, their services can save you money by helping
you avoid costly mistakes. In addition, consultants can help you improve your
processes and operations, which can lead to increased productivity,
efficiency, and profitability.

3. Competitive Advantage

As a business owner, you are always bombarded with urgent tasks that need
your attention. This can make it difficult to find time to focus on long-term
planning. Hiring a consultant can give you a competitive advantage by
bringing in best practices and cross-industry knowledge into your business
strategy. Consultants can also help you clarify your goals and the direction of
your business and align your organization to make it happen faster and
easier.

4. Objectivity
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations of your business and
lose sight of the big picture. This is where consultants can be extremely
helpful. As a business owner, you have poured your every being into your
business, resulting in you becoming biased. Consultants, on the other hand,
have no emotional attachment to your business and can provide impartial
advice and insights that are based on their knowledge and expertise. This
objectivity is especially helpful when you’re facing tough decisions about your
business.

5. Customization

Top consultants tend to not offer a one-size-fits-all solution to their clients.

Instead, they will take the time to understand your specific needs and
challenges before developing a tailor-made solution that is unique to your
business. This customization ensures you get the most out of your
consultation and the recommendations are relevant to your business.
Therefore, whether you need help with a specific project or you’re looking for
long-term assistance, consultants can create customized solutions to fit your
requirements.

6. Accomplishing Short-Term Goals

Another advantage of hiring a consultant is that they can help you accomplish
your short-term goals. This is especially true if you’re looking to implement a
new project or initiative, where consultants can help you with everything from
planning to execution. For example, if you’re looking to launch a new product,
a consultant can help you with the research, planning, execution, and change
management with your team. Coupled with their expertise, they can help you
avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your project is successful.

7. Leveraging New Skills

Inevitably, there will come a time when you and your team need to acquire
new skills to scale your business. This could be anything from leading a
team to implementing new software to understanding the latest marketing
trends. While you and your team could try to learn these skills on your own, it
would be more efficient to hire a consultant who already has the skills and
knowledge that you need. This way, you can focus on running your business
while they focus on helping you acquire the new skills you need.

8. Outside Market Knowledge

Another advantage of hiring a consultant is that they can provide you with
outside market knowledge. This is especially helpful if you’re looking to enter
a new market or expand your business into new areas. With their knowledge
of the market and its trends or insight into your competitors’ strategies,
consultants can help you make informed decisions about your business. This
outside perspective can be invaluable when conducting strategic planning that
will have a significant impact on your business.

9. Process Improvements

If you’re not happy with the way things are currently being done in your
business or you think they could be more efficient, then hiring a consultant
can help you improve your processes. This is because consultants are
experts in their field and are always up-to-date with the latest best practices.
Therefore, they can help you identify areas where your processes can be
improved and offer recommendations on how to streamline operations. This
will not only save you time and money but also improve the overall efficiency
and profitability of your business.

10. Increased Productivity

Last but not least, hiring a consultant that specializes in process

improvement can also help you increase productivity in your business. This is
because consultants can help you identify areas where you and your
employees are wasting time and offer recommendations on how to eliminate
or automate these tasks. As a result, you and your team will be able to focus
on more important tasks that contribute to the bottom line.

Trustworthy Business Consulting Experts

Trustworthy business consulting experts are hard to come by. When it comes
to finding someone to help you grow your business, you want to be sure
you’re working with the best. Look for someone with experience who has a
proven track record of success.

At Executive Leadership Consulting, we offer a wealth of experience and

knowledge to help you lead and grow your business. With customized
solutions, we have helped hundreds of businesses previously overwhelmed
with challenges achieve their goals.

Let us help you take your business to the next level.

Other denominations
Consultant; Business consultant; Business analyst

Description
ICT consultant is a hybrid profile that needs extensive economic and sales experience, as well as knowledge related to
information and communications technology (ICT). These professionals use their experience in both sectors to help their
clients develop technology solutions to help them reach their business goals. Their duties are to analyse the client's
situation, create a business plan and develop ICT solutions, both for the company itself and for external clients. This profile
may be more or less technological depending on the field in which the professional works.

SAP consultant is one of the most common specializations within this professional profile. These professionals parameterize
the SAP modules and know their functions perfectly in order to adapt them to the specific needs of each company.

Tasks
ICT consultants carry out the following tasks:

 Define the ICT strategy.

Analyse the requirements of the company (may be the company itself or an external client) to develop suitable
strategies regarding information and communications technologies.
Define the various strategies to be followed by the company in all technology-related fields in order to be
competitive.
Advise on potential risks.
 Develop ICT solutions.
Once business strategies to be followed by the company have been defined and approved, consultants develop a
series of proposals (solutions) that conform to these strategies. ICT consultants ensure that proposed solutions
meet business needs.
Be present during and coordinate the implementation of these solutions in the company.
Provide an overall theoretical vision of all technological aspects that contain these solutions. For example:
security levels, how information will flow, how systems will be implemented, etc.
 Identify and define new business opportunities.
Identify new technology-related business opportunities.
Work on these new opportunities to define how they will be able to help the company simplify, improve or re-
design business processes.
 Measure results and trends.
Once solutions have been introduced, ICT consultants measure and assess project results.
Define potential new directions for the company's technology strategy using these measures.

An IT consultant is a professional who provides expert advice and services to

organizations regarding their information technology (IT) needs. The role can
vary widely depending on the specific context and requirements of the client,
but generally includes the following responsibilities:

1. Assessment and Analysis: Evaluating the client's current IT

infrastructure, systems, and processes to identify strengths,
weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
2. Strategic Planning: Developing IT strategies that align with the
client's business goals. This includes recommending technology
solutions that can enhance efficiency, productivity, and
competitiveness.
3. Implementation: Assisting with the deployment of new IT systems and
technologies. This could involve project management, system
integration, and ensuring that the new solutions meet the client's
requirements.
4. Training and Support: Providing training for staff on new technologies
and systems, as well as ongoing support to resolve any issues that arise
after implementation.
5. Security and Compliance: Advising on cybersecurity measures and
ensuring that the organization complies with relevant regulations and
standards.
6. Cost Management: Helping clients manage their IT budgets, including
cost-benefit analysis for potential investments in technology.
7. Vendor Management: Assisting in the selection and management of
third-party vendors and service providers to ensure that the client
receives the best possible service and value.
8. Continuous Improvement: Staying updated with the latest
technology trends and innovations to provide ongoing
recommendations for improvements and upgrades.

22 ICT Jobs To Consider Pursuing (Plus Salary Information)

Written by

Indeed Editorial Team

Updated April 18, 2024

Information and communications technology (ICT) professionals are responsible for ensuring
the effectiveness of technology-assisted conversations. This discipline may require IT
knowledge, notably regarding video chat, mobile phone or email, and communication skills. If
you're interested in an IT career that includes various forms of communication, it may be helpful
to learn about careers you can pursue. In this article, we list 22 ICT jobs you can pursue and
describe their primary duties and average salary information.

Related jobs on Indeed

Technology jobs

Part-time jobs

Full-time jobs

Remote jobs

View more jobs on Indeed

22 information and communications technology jobs

Here are 22 jobs available in the ICT industry. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please
click on the links below:

1. Computer service technician

National average salary: $43,729 per yearPrimary duties: A computer service technician is
responsible for repairing and maintaining computer software and hardware. Some of their tasks
include removing viruses, conducting diagnostics tests and replacing defective hardware parts.
They may also help to fix network or internet connection issues for their employers or
clients.Read more: Learn About Being a Computer Technician

2. Tech support specialist

National average salary: $54,916 per yearPrimary duties: Tech support specialists serve as
help desk technicians to provide assistance to an organization's employees. This entry-level
position is a customer service role in which these professionals help troubleshoot and support
end users. A tech support specialist may either work internally or remotely. They may also
provide clients with technical support services.

3. Programmer

National average salary: $78,368 per yearPrimary duties: Programmers are responsible for
writing, testing and updating digital code. This process is necessary for software programs and
applications to function properly. Being a programmer may require excelled coding experience
and standard communication skills such as active listening, attention to detail, problem
solving and reading comprehension.Read more: Learn About Being a Computer
Programmer

4. Data analyst
National average salary: $74,377 per yearPrimary duties: Data analysts collect, interpret and
analyze data for large corporations or clients. They provide data analysis from their research so
company leaders and stakeholders can understand business practices and make strategic
decisions. The goal of a data analysis is to help organizations make discoveries and form
conclusions necessary to support decision-making processes.Read more: Learn About Being
a Data Analyst

5. Network administrator

National average salary: $67,350 per yearPrimary duties: Network administrators oversee an
organization's computer systems. They troubleshoot and manage computer networks. This
includes the organization and maintenance of computer infrastructures within local and wide
range networks.Related: Learn About Being a Network Administrator

6. Database analyst

National average salary: $72,830 per yearPrimary duties: Database analysts update and
maintain an organization's exiting databases. They conduct analyses to implement, design and
evaluate database systems. A database analyst may require knowledge in coding, data
modeling and creating database queries.

7. Web developer

National average salary: $77,791 per yearPrimary duties: Web developers are responsible
for the creation and design processes of a company's website. This role often entails designing
landing and other webpages, applications and user interfaces. Web developers are skilled in
both design and programming skills. They may also require knowledge of basic search engine
optimization (SEO) techniques.Read more: Learn About Being a Web Developer

8. Systems analyst

National average salary: $79,891 per yearPrimary duties: System analysts are professionals
who use IT techniques to solve business issues. They design, implement and analyze an
organization's IT systems. System analysts perform tests, gather user requirement information
and design software solutions to comply with an organization's system requirements. As
contracted professionals, they may be responsible for improving a client's or company's
business productivity and technical efficiency.Read more: Learn About Being a Business
Systems Analyst

9. IT consultant

National average salary: $80,191 per yearPrimary duties: IT consultants provide clients with
technical support and guidance. This may entail helping improve the efficiency of a computer or
software system, code analysis or the prevention of potential security threats. IT consultants
often work as independent contractors or secure employment with large corporations across
several industries.

10. Software analyst

National average salary: $78,021 per yearPrimary duties: Software analysts are
professionals who help organizations develop software solutions. They may operate within a
software development team and function as a liaison between developers and users of a
company's software products. Software analysts create specification documents, prepare
requirement guidance and analyze domains to ensure adherence to the software requirements
of an organization. They may require both advanced communication skills and programming
knowledge.

11. Data center technician

National average salary: $65,921 per yearPrimary duties: Data center technicians are often
responsible for the maintenance of data servers and hardware systems. Their duties may
include monitoring system processes, providing support to users and repairing servers. These
professionals help maintain an organization's systems and ensure that networks are secure
from any potential threats, such as hackers.

12. System administrator

National average salary: $81,035 per yearPrimary duties: System administrators, or

sysadmins, are responsible for the maintenance of a corporation's servers and computers
systems. This may include the configuration, installation and upgrading of multi-user computer
networks or application software. Sysadmins help manage an organization's IT infrastructure of
servers and other network equipment.Read more: Learn About Being a System
Administrator

13. Business analyst

National average salary: $83,763 per yearPrimary duties: A business analyst is a

professional whose primary responsibility is to help a company improve its decision-making and
business processes. They provide an organization's management teams with thorough data
analysis of its technical systems. While this role may require a technical background, it may also
require communication skills such as problem solving, interpersonal communication and the
ability to remain meticulous in their work.Read more: Learn About Being a Business Analyst

14. Network engineer

National average salary: $95,178 per yearPrimary duties: A network engineer is a
professional who's responsible for setting up and designing computer networks for a company.
This may include configuring electronic or computer servers, activating equipment and properly
connecting Wi-Fi services. Network engineers may require skills in design, implementation and
the ability to monitor networks efficiently and effectively.Read more: Learn About Being a
Network Engineer

15. IT manager

National average salary: $91,636 per yearPrimary duties: An IT manager is a professional

who oversees an organization's entire information and computer systems processes. Their
duties may include conducting software updates, monitoring servers and allocating resources,
among managing other IT projects. IT managers may also require enhanced communication
skills to manage a small team or a company's IT department properly.Read more: Learn
About Being an IT Manager

16. Database administrator

National average salary: $94,537 per yearPrimary duties: A database administrator ensures
that a company's databases operate properly. They create and efficiently organize systems that
store a variety of data, including employee records, financial information and customer contact
details, among other pertinent data. These professionals may also ensure that approved users
can access the data they require.Read more: Learn About Being a Database Administrator

17. Systems engineer

National average salary: $104,733 per yearPrimary duties: A systems engineer aims to
improve an organization's complex computer networks and systems. Through proper design
techniques, development and maintenance, they manage the life cycle of a system effectively
and efficiently. Systems engineers provide solutions to problems that may arise by conducting
assessments, determining issues and developing solutions to solve them.Read more: Learn
About Being a Systems Engineer

18. Hardware engineer

National average salary: $106,813 per yearPrimary duties: Hardware engineers create
hardware components for electrical and computer systems. They research, design, develop and
test hardware elements and systems, including networks, servers and routers, among other
components. Hardware engineers may require skills such as critical thinking, analytics and
problem solving to complete tasks effectively.

19. Front-end developer

National average salary: $107,312 per yearPrimary duties: A front-end developer designs the
front end or visual elements of a webpage or site. They're responsible for ensuring a user can
interact with and navigate a webpage properly. Front-end developers are skilled in coding,
design and the ability to remove errors from a page.Read more: Learn About Being a Front-
End Developer

20. Cybersecurity specialist

National average salary: $98,832 per yearPrimary duties: A cybersecurity specialist helps
maintain the security of cyber networks. They implement security measures in developmental
stages when creating networks, data centers and software systems. Cybersecurity specialists
also install, monitor and upgrade malware and anti-virus protection software.

21. Data scientist

National average salary: $119,380 per yearPrimary duties: A data scientist is a professional
who helps an organization identify business solutions necessary for the company to function
properly. They may collect data, identify pivotal questions and decode pertinent information for
a business to maintain its operations efficiently. Data scientists may require knowledge in a
variety of disciplines, including communications, mathematics and analytics.Read more: Learn
About Being a Data Scientist

22. Software developer

National average salary: $108,896 per yearPrimary duties: Software developers

design and maintain software systems. Their duties include testing systems, budgeting

projects, handling data and creating prototypes, among other functions. Software

developers can either design new software systems independently or with other

developers.