How Do I Become a Technology Strategy Consultant?

A person with a strong understanding of business and management principles who also has a gift for working with software and other new kinds of technology might want to become a technology strategy consultant. To become a technology strategy consultant, you first should enter an undergraduate program where you learn about Information Technology (IT). Concentrate on how IT systems are used in the business world. If you do not have the option to major in a subject such as business information systems, you might want to choose a dual concentration in management and computer science. A graduate degree is optional, though it is necessary that you gain years of experience working in an IT department or for IT firms and developing your project management skills.

Technology strategy consultants are advisers who specialize in helping businesses to grow with the use of technology. For example, if an executive has a set of goals for an organization to reach, he or she can meet with a consultant who can suggest different kinds of technologies on the market and work with an executive to develop a plan for implementation. The services a technology strategy consultant provides depend on what a client requests. A consultant, for instance, might act merely as an adviser or he or she can oversee implementation and perform duties of a project manager.

To become a technology strategy consultant, you should begin taking internship opportunities as soon as possible. A part time or summer job can also offer good experience to any individual hoping to become a strategy consultant. Ideally, you might want to get a position that enables you to work in or with an IT department, but any position that introduces you to the basics of managerial strategy and business organization can be valuable.

If you would like to become a technology strategy consultant, you need to develop an exceptional reputation. This can be done in part by gaining a number of professional certifications and degrees. It is more important, however, that you develop a reputation by serving clients and employers. If you know of friends or community members who are starting a small business, offer your assistance in developing technology strategy, even if it is an opportunity that does not pay well financially. To become a technology strategy consultant, it is necessary that your earn the references of satisfied professionals who are happy to recommend you to others.