How to Become an Information Technology Consultant

An information technology (IT) consultant is an IT professional who provides expert advice to businesses and organizations that need help with their information technology needs and technology projects. In a world where IT is so central to business, you'll find a growing need for information technology consultants to provide services to align technology with existing business strategies. According to Statista, experts predict the IT consulting market will grow annually by 4.19 percent and reach $92.95 billion in revenue by 2029 [1]. 

Discover more about the role of an information technology consultant and the steps you can take to start your career in this exciting industry.

Understanding the role of an information technology consultant

Information technology consultants work in a range of industries, supporting any business that needs help aligning its technology and IT provisions with its business strategy. As IT consultants are experts in their field, they can advise clients on changes in technology and provide recommendations for upgrades and digital transformation. 

As an information technology consultant, you might work independently or for an IT consultancy company. Generally, you’ll charge an hourly fee for your services and work with businesses for a short term, maybe acting as a chief information officer (CIO) or project manager, until you resolve problems or implement new technology strategies.

IT consultant vs. in-house tech staff

Information technology consultants differ from in-house technical staff, as they work for a short period to attend to a specific need, and an in-house team is permanent. As an IT consultant, you are an expert in your field and can advise on the latest technology and developments to take a business forward. Following this, an in-house tech team allows a business to have ongoing technical support, fixing issues as they arise. Often, information technology consultants provide training for IT teams on the systems they implement. 

Duties and responsibilities

Information technology consultants cover a range of specialties, from security to managed services to cloud computing. The area you focus on as an IT consultant will have an impact on your job description, but generally, you can expect to be responsible for the following:

• Understanding client’s needs and aligning them with relevant technology

• Assessing current technology and suggesting improvements 

• Identifying processes and systems you can improve with the use of technology

• Planning projects, implementing technology transformation, and monitoring outcomes

• Troubleshooting technology issues and making improvements

• Training staff on newly implemented technology

• Monitoring the technology you implement to ensure it meets requirements

• Ensuring you implement security measures for the technology that you introduce

• Liaise with business leaders, IT departments, and technology providers

Salary and job outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for computer and information systems managers is much faster than average, with a projected 17 percent growth rate from 2023 to 2033 [2]. According to Glassdoor, the average annual base salary for an information technology consultant is $92,858 [3]. The salary you receive depends on a number of factors, including your industry specialization, education, experience, and whether you work independently or for a consultancy company. 

Steps to becoming an information technology consultant

As an information technology consultant, you are an experienced professional with qualifications, certifications, and expertise relating to the services you offer. You’ll need to take several essential steps to get started in this career.

Step 1: Obtain relevant education.

To work as an information technology consultant, you need to have a solid understanding of technology. A bachelor’s degree is common in this field, focusing on majors such as computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, computer engineering, business, or similar. According to Zippia, 64 percent of IT consultants have a bachelor’s degree, with another 13 percent advancing to study for a master’s degree [4].

If you choose to specialize in a certain area of IT consultancy, building knowledge in that area is essential. You may choose to do this through certifications in addition to your degree.

Step 2: Gain practical experience.

Experience is highly important when working as an information technology consultant. Clients hire you because of the expertise you bring, so you need to build this up before applying for the role or setting yourself up as an independent consultant. Think about working in entry-level IT roles to build your experience, such as a support specialist, IT assistant, computer technician, or entry-level software engineer. Internships are another excellent way to build experience.

Step 3: Build a specialization.

Developing a specialization or a niche to focus on allows you to hone in on an area, making you more marketable than a generalist. Think about the areas that interest you and direct your studies and experience toward these.

Examples of IT consultant specializations to consider include:

• Security

• Health care IT

• Gaming

• Customer support

• Cloud computing

• IT security 

• Information governance

Step 4: Pursue certifications.

Certifications are a great way to build your credibility in your specialist field and IT in general. Some consultant jobs require certifications, but even if a job doesn’t, they are still a good way of making you stand out. Examples of certifications to consider include:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) 

• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) 

• Network+ (CompTIA)

• Project+ (CompTIA)

Step 5: Develop a professional network.

Often, working in an IT consultancy means finding clients yourself. Networking is an essential part of this. Connect with people you know in your industry, network through social media, and attend events and industry conferences. Networking may also help you meet a mentor who can help you navigate your early career.

Required skills for a successful IT consultant

As an information technology consultant, you need a blend of technical skills and workplace skills in order to work with clients, solve problems, and train staff. It’s also important to develop skills that specifically relate to your specialty. Examples of skills to work on include:

Technical skills

• Designing IT systems

• Troubleshooting

• Customer service

• Operating systems

• Databases

• Software applications

• Programming

• Data analytics

Workplace skills

• Technical proficiency 

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Critical thinking

• Collaboration

Who uses IT consulting services?

IT consulting covers a range of industries, and you’ll find opportunities in businesses and organizations of all sizes. Businesses use IT consultants to implement strategy and access specialist skills or to save money by not hiring an in-house team. The types of clients that typically seek IT consultants include:

• Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

• Large corporations

• Government agencies

• Non-profit organizations

• Startups

• Expanding operations

Learn more about IT consulting on Coursera

Information technology consultants are professionals in IT who share their knowledge and expertise for a fee, working across industries in a range of specialties. If you’re an IT professional considering consultant work, a great place to start is upgrading your skills with an online course or Professional Certificate. Choose one that fits with your specialization, such as the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, or the IBM IT Project Manager Professional Certificate, both available on Coursera.