What’s it all about?
ever wondered what an IT consultant does? IT consultant’s work with clients, advising them on how best use technology to meet their business objectives. Their role is improve efficiency of IT systems within the organisation. They are called upon to give guidance on best practise as well as helping with procurement and training.
IT consultant’s work with clients, advising them on how best use technology to meet their business objectives. Their role is improve efficiency of IT systems within the organisation. They are called upon to give guidance on best practise as well as helping with procurement and training.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Requirements gathering from clients
- Defining project scope
- Analysing IT requirements within companies and give independent and objective advice on the use of IT
- Developing the agreed solutions and test
- Designing and testing new systems
- Prepare and update documentation
- Train users and other consultants
- Liaise with the Sales teams
So how do you get there?
IT consultants do not have to have studied a particular degree but the following would be useful:
- business studies
- computer science/software engineering
- electrical/electronic engineering
- information systems
- mathematics
- other science/engineering disciplines
Graduates can expect to earn between £20,000 and £30,000.
Who?
You can find work within management consultancies, software and systems houses and some large manufacturers of computing equipment and software. You may focus on a particular industry, or work across a range of sectors for your clients, including:
- Financial services and global investment companies
- Health
- Manufacturing – including automotive
- The public sector
- Transport
- Utility.
Some companies and consultancies specialise in one area of IT services, such as web design and internet solutions, or they may produce software tailored to a particular market. You will need specialist knowledge and experience in that area to apply, or they may offer the necessary training.
There are many big graduate recruiters who take on recent graduates into consultancy roles and companies range in size from small firms employing fewer than five people, to industry giants.
Globalisation, outsourcing, cloud computing and social computing currently drive opportunities in this sector. A rising interest in environmental innovation, in products and services, is also creating new demand for consultants.
Show me the money
- Graduates can expect to earn between £20,000 and £30,000.
- With significant experience, you can earn in the region of £32,000 to £40,000.
- At a more senior level, if you’ve identified a specialist area, salaries can range from £40,000 to £80,000. The exact salary depends on the demand for your specific expertise.
Salary is dependent on location, size and type of employer and is usually performance-related. Contract work is possible and daily rates range from £150 to £550+ a day, depending on your experience and your area of expertise.
