Although many people think of consulting as the giving of advice, consulting is actually providing solutions and creating change. Most consulting firms strive to make their clients more successful by increasing efficiency, decreasing costs, and improving their strategies and operations. Most consulting solutions usually involve a heavy implementation of information technology as an efficiency tool.

The evolution of a consulting project typically involves analysis of the problem, research of possible solutions, creation of the optimal solution, implementation, and follow up analysis and adjustments. Consulting projects vary in duration from as short as a few weeks to as long as a few years. Team size is also variable from a few people to several hundred.

Large consulting firms are usually made up of experts in a wide array of specialties. If you are a specialist in one of the following specialties, then consulting might be a match.
- Network Engineer/Security
- Software Engineer
- Database Applications Developers
- Logistics and Supply Chain
- Process Production Methods
- Lean Manufacturing
- Acquisition and Purchasing Methods
- Organizational Design
- Finance
- Process Improvement
Your career development progresses through several levels: Consultant, Senior Consultant, Manager, Senior Manager, Assistant Partner, and finally Partner. Partners are equity owners of the consulting firms and are the equivalent of executive level (vice-president and above) of corporations.

Consulting appeals to those who have a strong specific skill set but who desire to get a broad, general business perspective. They are creative, good problem solvers, well organized, poised, polished, and comfortable with client interaction.