Engineering is an exciting and lucrative field, but burnout is a common problem, especially among seasoned professionals. Many engineers seek out flexibility, but don’t quite know how to achieve it in a traditional, full-time work environment. Consulting is an effective way to get everything you want out of your career: great pay, great projects and the ability to make real contributions all while experiencing the work-life balance many people find to be elusive in today’s corporate environment.
Consulting Puts You in Control of Your Career
At a “traditional” full-time job, you have little control over what you do each day. The projects you oversee are assigned to you by the company. When you consult, you have the opportunity to pick and choose the companies you work with and the types of projects you work on. You will be consistently exposed to new working environments and you have the luxury of focusing on the industries, skills and niches that you enjoy.
Consulting also provides you with the opportunity to experience the work-life balance you desire. When you consult, you determine which jobs you will accept, and you can schedule breaks in between engagements to go on vacation or simply focus on your home and family so you can fully recharge your batteries before your next project.
Consultants Make Major Contributions
Employers choose to work with engineering consultants for a variety of reasons, but they are almost always seeking out a specialized skill set. They need true experts to help their teams achieve company goals, and they lean on consultants to help drive project success. While it is possible to make an impact in a traditional role, it’s also easy to feel like a cog in a wheel. Consultants, on the other hand, have the opportunity to make a major impact with every project, often influencing decision-making and project direction.
Consulting Can Actually Create Job Security
No job is ever 100 percent secure. How many stories have you heard of engineers getting laid off after decades of service? It’s true that consultants move from project to project and they must continually fill their pipeline with new opportunities. However, consultants never have to worry about being laid off. Even if a company experiences a hiring freeze, consultants aren’t impacted because they are paid out of the project budget itself, not the hiring budget.
It’s Easier Than You Think to Fill Your Pipeline
Some engineers shy away from consulting because of the work involved in lining up jobs. It can be a hassle, but there is a way to keep your schedule full without spending all your free time looking for engagements. When you work with an engineering recruiter, you can focus on each project and let the recruiter do the legwork of finding your next role, ensuring that role aligns with your goals and negotiating your pay. This gives you the ability to experience the freedom of consulting, without the strain of filling your pipeline on your own.
If you are an engineer in the Southeast region and you’re ready to learn more about the benefits of making the leap to consulting, contact the recruiting experts at Selectek today.
