Working in IT – Consulting vs. Salaried
My current boss, an executive at a large insurance company, just asked me what it was like working as a consultant. Amazingly, I came up with an analogy that I believe accurately describes what it’s like:
It’s a lot like walking a tightrope without a net.
Workers in the tech field are all tightrope walkers. Those who are salaried have a safety net, those who contract don’t. The important thing to realize is that you want to avoid falling in either case.
I’ve been contracting for 6 years. During that time I have re-engineered my career to leave a dying technology, avoid offshore competition and make myself more marketable – while at the same time keep the paychecks coming as the sole wage earner in my family and enjoy what I do. It’s been an incredible challenge, and one that I has really brought out the best in me.
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