How can you choose between being a cloud computing consultant or full-time employee?

Cloud computing consultants enjoy flexibility, diverse experiences, and potentially higher income compared to full-time employees. As consultants, they can select projects aligned with their expertise and interests, fostering skill growth. However, job security may be lower, and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans might require self-management. Full-time employees receive stable income, benefits, and job security, but may have limited project variety. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual preferences for autonomy, stability, and financial rewards.

For me, it all started with the idea of sharing my knowledge back to the community, and while doing so, creating a personal brand in the process. I started with a website where I shared blogs on my cloud journey and experiences along with tips & and tricks to overcome general issues. I used LinkedIn and various VMware programs to increase my reach to people with the same interests. Gradually, things started to flow by itself. I loved the recognition, people reaching out to me, seeking out my guidance and even paying me well. It seems, "You share what you learn to learn even more". At the moment, I am preparing myself to provide official training to people in tech all around the world.

Time management and resourcing is usually easier as a consultant. Flexibility is often also required from the client side for consultants as they are often hired to work on a specific goal or skillset in mind. As a consultant you get to work all over the world. These days usually telecommuting. Your professional skillset will also improve (by your choice) through experience, networking and studying. You can plan your own career roadmap.

Being a cloud computing consultant offers numerous advantages. You have the flexibility to choose projects, clients, and working conditions. This autonomy extends to setting rates and determining your schedule. Working across diverse cloud platforms and tools provides variety and keeps your skills sharp. As a consultant, you can build a personal brand, network, and negotiate favorable terms. The role offers independence, creativity, and constant challenges, fostering professional growth and satisfaction.

I am a full time cloud consultant and really enjoy helping lots of different clients adopt cloud solutions. That's the biggest difference between full-time cloud engineer / architects and consultants - as a consultant you don't "own" the infrastructure. Consultants come in, do some work and move on (generally). Full-time Cloud engineers and architects build IT infrastructure and then they need to maintain and secure it and be responsible for it in a way consultants are not. Cloud consultants may get to know lots of different facets of Cloud, however, because they see so many different clients' environments. This gives them a wide knowledge and they can be specialists as well. Full timers may be much deeper on their own infrastructure.

The benefits and challenges of the actual work done by a cloud consultant are numerous. Benefits - Access to new industries, customers and size of customers, tech stacks, innovative technology and contacts in your field. Challenges - Constantly working on legacy tech debt in which you are figuring out why and how. Ambiguous working environment in which sometimes the answer or path to the answer is not clear. Understanding the best solution to the problem may not be selected for non technical reasons Being seen as an "outsider" by some in the company because you are not a FT employee. Many of these challenges are similar to being an employee, but as a consultant you must deal with them with every new project.

Let's be clear about the difference between a "consultant" and an "independent contractor." A consultant works for a company or for themselves. They contract with clients to do work (scopes of work/SOWs) for a fixed scope & term, either for a fixed or hourly price. There are generally boundaries to their work and assumptions about how it will be delivered. When the work is over, they leave the client and go do work at other clients. The client doesn't "own" the consultant in any real employment relationship. An independent contractor is hired as a term employee in a contract for a job at a single client - not necessarily just for a particular bit of work or project. The employment contract generally lasts several months to several years.

Cloud computing consultants face challenges such as irregular income, as projects are finite. They must manage self-employment aspects, including taxes and health insurance. Client acquisition and maintaining a steady stream of projects require ongoing effort. Keeping skills updated in the fast-evolving tech landscape is crucial. Consultants may experience periods of downtime between projects. Balancing work and personal life without traditional employee benefits like paid leave poses another challenge. Despite the potential for high rewards, navigating these uncertainties demands resilience and proactive career management.

It definitely affects my work-life balance. Even while I was typing this, I got a ping from the client regarding some issues and she wanted to connect. You have to pick and pull time from almost all the other things you do eventually and sometimes, stretch yourself to thin. Regarding relationships, I would say, you excel there. The people you consulted/helped, also remember all the time and effort you put in and reach out to you even after long intervals of time in case you have someting.

Yet, being a cloud computing consultant entails challenges. Inconsistent income, unpredictable demand, and heightened competition can pose financial uncertainties. Marketing efforts, administrative tasks, and ongoing professional development demand extra time and investment. Balancing work and personal life, establishing enduring relationships, and accessing benefits and support may prove challenging. It's crucial to navigate these obstacles with strategic planning and a proactive approach to ensure sustained success in the dynamic consulting landscape.

Employee benefits include stable income, providing financial security and regular paychecks. Full-time employees typically receive comprehensive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave, contributing to overall well-being. Job security is higher, as they are part of a stable workforce. Opportunities for career growth and skill development may be available through employer-sponsored training. Employees often benefit from a structured work schedule, promoting a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, they enjoy a sense of belonging to a corporate culture, fostering camaraderie and long-term relationships.

Being a full-time employee is a premade path. Your job description says it very clearly (hopefully). You know your work area and responsibilities. You don't have to worry about being flexible and working in odd hours. You have your manager and collegues for support. You also can leverage company resources for career advancement.

By answering the Spice Girls' question: what do you really want, really, really, really want. If there is a missalignment between what you are and what you want to be, you won't be happy...and we are here to be happy.

Conversely, opting for a full-time cloud computing role as an employee presents distinct advantages. Stability, job security, and potential for career advancement are prominent features, complemented by a reliable salary and consistent workload. Employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave, contribute to overall well-being. Collaborating within a team fosters a supportive learning environment, enabling exposure to diverse perspectives and collective contributions toward a shared organizational vision and mission.

The non-intuitive challenges of being an employee is multifold. As an employee, you are likely pigeon-holed into certain working styles, organizational environment, tech stacks, problem statements for the employer. Over time, it prevents growth or adequate growth. In this crazy rapid pace of technology developments, that is a huge challenge for your career if you are focused on the same set of problems over a long period of time. The goal is not necessarily to change employers but ensure you are able to move around the company for new opportunities that are the latest and greatest in this fast paced world we live in.

Limited autonomy, with less control over project selection and work assignments. Job roles may be narrowly defined, limiting exposure to diverse projects. Organizational changes or restructuring can lead to job uncertainty. Fixed salaries may not fully capture the value of individual contributions, potentially affecting motivation. Employees might face challenges in adapting to rigid work schedules and corporate policies. Advancement opportunities could be constrained by hierarchical structures. Despite benefits, employees may experience work-stress due to deadlines, office politics, or job dissatisfaction. Striking balance between professional and personal life can be challenging within the constraints of a traditional work environment.

Being a w2 employee comes with many challenges: Run the engine - getting caught up in the everyday enterprise stuff Red tape and being suffocated by process, limiting one's ability to make progress Recognition and getting lost "in the organization" Money - undoubtedly money is significantly less for w2 in my experience Growth and complacency - it's easy to get stuck in a routine

While a full-time cloud computing role as an employee offers stability, it may entail challenges. Limited autonomy and control over work, adherence to stringent rules and procedures, and potential exposure to organizational bureaucracy and politics are aspects to consider. The structured environment may lead to pressure, stress, and burnout, particularly when managing tight deadlines, intricate challenges, and evolving expectations. Balancing these considerations is crucial when determining the most suitable professional path in the field of cloud computing.

Choosing between being a cloud computing consultant and a full-time employee depends on personal preferences. Consultants enjoy flexibility, diverse experiences, and potential for higher income but face uncertainties in projects and benefits. Full-time employees benefit from stability, comprehensive benefits, and career growth within a structured environment but may have limited autonomy. Consider factors like risk tolerance, desire for independence, and preference for steady income. Balancing these aspects will guide the decision towards a path aligning with individual priorities and career goals.

When deciding between a cloud computing consultant or a full-time employee role, assess your career goals, financial expectations, work preferences, and personal attributes. Consider short-term and long-term objectives, evaluating factors such as preferred work style, skills, strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests. An honest and realistic reflection on these aspects will help weigh the advantages and disadvantages, enabling you to make an informed decision aligning with your aspirations and circumstances.

Things to consider: Consultants typically command significantly higher rates. Consultants should understand that benefits are expensive and take advantage of benefits from their partners employer, if possible. Consultants should be comfortable openly providing their opinion and proposed direction to others, and often including executives. Consultants benefit from doing unique and specialized work, and often don't get weighed down by all of the ongoings of their client organization. Consultants need soft skills. It's critical to be able to navigate discourse gracefully.

Evaluate your risk tolerance, career goals, and lifestyle preferences when choosing between consulting and full-time employment in cloud computing. Consider the trade-offs of autonomy, stability, and financial rewards. Continuously update your skills to stay competitive. Networking and building a strong professional reputation are crucial, regardless of the chosen path. Ultimately, choose the option aligning with your values and long-term aspirations for a fulfilling and successful career.

Either consultant or FTE, all that matters is how you handle it, and where you feel better exhibiting your skills and comfortable coming out of your comfort zone and standing out of the box...stress freedom, policies, free hand, and politics genuinely are there everywhere. "Fitting Yourself is More Important.."

The ultimate answer is "it depends". My personal approach to everything here is to figure out what contract negotiations look like and then create a pros/cons list, especially if you're currently a w2, and make a decision. Money, time, work/life balance, benefits, personal growth, happiness, risk, possibility for project extension, new projects - these are all things that I considered when I left a w2 for a consultant role in 2020.

Whether as a consultant or employee, stay current in the dynamic cloud computing field with continuous learning. Stay updated on trends and best practices, seek feedback and mentorship from experienced professionals, and strive for excellence in your work. Embrace the problem-solving process and find joy in creating solutions within the ever-evolving landscape of cloud computing. This approach ensures your relevance, growth, and fulfillment in your chosen path.

This is really a choice between lifestyles: - Consultants 'can' make more money but may have less career stability and may end up needing to travel more. In some ways, consulting can be faster paced and more exciting. - FTEs (full time employees) may get to go deeper in to technology and have more time to really tweak it. They may also have more flexibility in their schedule and better work life balance. But... there are exceptions to all of these. And if you're an have the resources to buy your own insurance, have a mind for business and like being able to decide where and when you work, being independent may be for you, but it isn't easy, and the hours may be even longer than for employees - either consultants or FTEs.

The ability to work remotely is a significant consideration. Both consulting and full-time roles in cloud computing may offer remote opportunities, but the extent can vary. Consultants often enjoy greater flexibility, choosing projects that allow remote work. Full-time employees may have remote options, especially as the trend grows, but it's contingent on company policies. Assess the importance of remote work in your lifestyle, as it can impact work-life balance and job satisfaction. Factor in the flexibility each option provides in terms of location to align with your preferences and priorities.

Choosing between a cloud computing consultant and a full-time employee depends on your career goals, financial needs, work preferences, and values. Consider factors such as flexibility, variety of projects, and autonomy as a consultant, versus stability, benefits, and growth opportunities as an employee. Evaluate your skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and align your decision with your short-term and long-term aspirations. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your unique combination of personal and professional priorities.

Choosing between a cloud computing consultant and a full-time employee depends on your career goals, financial needs, work preferences, and values. Consider factors such as flexibility, variety of projects, and autonomy as a consultant, versus stability, benefits, and growth opportunities as an employee. Evaluate your skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and align your decision with your short-term and long-term aspirations. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your unique combination of personal and professional priorities.