Role:
IT consultants work with clients to improve IT efficiency, knowledge and potential. They advise their clients on how to best use information technology to meet their business objectives or solve related issues.
Their role may also include designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems as well as presenting progress reports to customers and organising training for clients.
Skills Required:
- Information Technology competency
- Leadership
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Good presentation skills.
Things to consider
Most larger consultancies have an established career structure for their staff, with frequent appraisals and an emphasis on individuals managing their own career. A typical consultant moves from the daily responsibility of a project to a more strategic role with team leadership and responsibility.
The IT industry is so diverse and IT consultants perform such a variety of tasks that your career can develop into a number of different industries and sectors.
Competition for vacancies is fierce. As a first and second year undergraduate, you may apply for internships in the industry. It is a good idea to start making applications to larger firms in the autumn term of your final year, even if the recruitment process is on-going. Graduate places fill quickly and competition gets stronger as time passes. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification, e.g. an MSc in IT, is not always compulsory, but shows evidence of your interest and competence, particularly if your first degree is not in a related subject.
Read more: Prospects- entry requirements
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