On Your Own: Part 1
© Douglas E. Welch 1997
It is a rare computer staffer that hasn't considered joining the
growing ranks of consultants now populating so many positions
in both corporate America and their own small businesses. The
dreams of freedom and a better life for you and your family are
definitely a possibility but there are a score of items to consider
before you make that great leap.
When?
Regardless of the position, many people will find they are dissatisfied
with their current position. This can happen for a variety of
reasons. In some cases they might even find themselves a victim
of downsizing through no fault of their own. It is common for
high-tech staffers to consider leaving the rat race of the corporate
world behind and striking out on their own. I know, personally,
that each time I have changed jobs the thought has occurred to
me. Several times it was rejected, mainly because my main career
interests were outside of the corporate computing realm. In each
case, I returned to another corporate position as soon as possible.
I was tired of computer support and training and I knew it. All
of you will need to make a similar decision, based on your own
life interests.
Preparing the Ground
The most important aspect to working as a freelancer is to lay
the groundwork long before you actually leave the cozy nest of
the corporate world. Starting your own consulting business will
mean having two complete jobs until you can leave your current
position. This means evenings and weekends are taken up with planning,
marketing and actual consulting calls themselves. This won't go
on forever, but it will last for a siginificant length of time
and both you and your family need to prepare for it. Your time
will immediately become more valuable when you can make a direct
correllation between billable hours and the amount of money in
the bank.
On Your Own
When you work for yourself you are truly on your own, through
the good and the bad. There will be no one there to help you when
the big problems arise. There will be no one to take the complaint
from the big client. There will be no one there to collect on
unpaid invoices. When you jump into the consulting river, you
do it alone and you sink or swim by your own wits. To some people
this is reason enough never to do it. To others it is a challange
to be faced, knowing they will come out of it a better person.
Whatever your decision, it is important to go into this world
with your eyes open. Over the next few weeks I will discuss the
various elements that go into developing a consulting career.
Hopefully, I won't scare you out of your wits. Maybe I'll even
convince of few of you that the (consulting) time is at hand.
Douglas E. Welch is a freelance writer and computer consultant
in Van Nuys, California. Readers can discuss career issues with
other readers by joining the Career Opportunities Discussion on
Douglas' web page at: http://home.earthlink.net/~dewelch/
He can reached via email at dewelch@earthlink.net |