Most L&D professionals begin their careers in permanent, full-time roles before considering a shift to consulting. If you’re considering making this change, keep reading! This article explores how you can successfully make that transition and some of the benefits (along with a few of the drawbacks) of being a L&D consultant.
Let’s discuss some of the factors successful consultants often point to as benefits of being a consultant: increased flexibility, financial gains, and professional growth.
Control Your Own Schedule
One of the most appealing aspects of consulting is having control over your schedule. Unlike permanent roles, which often have you on fixed hours and rigid structures, consulting allows you to determine when,where, and how you work. This level of flexibility can be particularly appealing for those seeking a better work-life balance. Maybe you are a parentlooking to spend more time with your children, or someone who wants to pursuepassion projects alongside your career.
As a consultant, you can choose the projects thatyou take on which allows you to focus on work that aligns with your personalinterests and expertise. This autonomy can lead you to greater job andprofessional satisfaction.
Getting Paid
While permanent roles offer stability, as an L&D consultant, you can have higher earning potential, since you can set your own rates based on expertise, demand, and project scope. Additionally, you can work with multiple clients simultaneously, diversifying your income.
Financial discipline is key if you are transitioning into consulting. You need to be prepared for times with no assignments and have needed benefits covered. While consulting may initially require some financial adjustments, many professionals find that, in the long run, these risks are outweighed by the increased earning potential.
Professional Growth
Permanent roles often require L&D professionals to wear multiple hats, leaving you to manage a variety of responsibilities that may not align with your specific interests. As a consultant, you are given the freedom to carve out a niche and position yourself as a subject matter expert in areas such as instructional design, leadership development, e-learning, or corporate training.
Specialization not only increases demand but also allows you to charge premium rates for your expertise. Organizations are more likely to seek out consultants with a proven track record in a particular area, which gives you a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.
Transitioning from a permanent role to consulting requires you to adopt a sort of entrepreneurial mindset. As a consultant, you may need to manage your own business operations, such as marketing, finance, client acquisition, and project management. While this may seem intimidating, it provides skills that can be applied to various professional and personal endeavors.
Consulting allows you to foster independence, creativity, and strategic thinking, all of which are highly transferable skills that can lead to further opportunities in your career.
Taking the First Step
While consulting offers numerous benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as managing client expectations and maintaining a steady pipeline of work. Before you make the transition, you should assess your risk tolerance, financial preparedness, and willingness to embrace a more self-directed career path.
If you are willing to take the leap, moving from permanent employment to consulting in the L&D industry can be a highly rewarding career choice. It offers the freedom to shape your professional journey, achieve financial success, and continuously grow in the always-evolving field. Whether you are seeking independence, new challenges, or greater control over your career, consulting provides a viable and exciting path forward.
by Sydney Dufour, AXIOM Learning Solutions
Are you interested in working as an AXIOM L&D Consultant?
We'd like to work with you, too. Reach out to our recruiting and talent management team at talent@axiomlearningsolutions.com.
