A Year of Consulting in Review: Personal Reflections

As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey of becoming an independent consultant after more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry. This leap into self-employment, though exciting, also came with its share of nervousness and uncertainty. With the year now behind me, I feel it's a good time to share the challenges, lessons learned, and the professional and personal growth I’ve experienced.

The decision to become a self-employed consultant comes with multiple motivations. For some, consulting is a bridge between full-time roles, a transition into retirement, a way to achieve a better work-life balance, or a necessity when they can't find a job that aligns with their skills and values. For me, it was a mix of all these reasons. My last company had shut down, and the job market was tough. These coming after facing some personal challenges the previous year (health and loss of loved ones), I realized that I needed some time for self-care. Thus, the winding down of my company, coupled with the tough job market and being over 50, provided the perfect (or should I say, necessary?) excuse to take a break.

Like many, I had my doubts. How would I find clients? Would I earn enough to support my family? Would I miss being part of a team? Would I be as invested in my projects as I was in a full-time role? And, of course, what about health insurance? These questions kept me up at night, but I knew I needed a pause.

Now, 12 months into my consulting journey, I can confidently say that some of my fears were valid, but others proved to be unfounded. Building a business is no easy feat, and getting a steady stream of clients takes time. However, I've had enough work to sustain myself, with support from my extensive network of former colleagues, as well as from unexpected sources. Contrary to my fears, I have felt deeply invested in my projects and celebrated successes as I would in any full-time role. In fact, I’ve stretched myself beyond my comfort zone, tackling projects where I didn't have all the answers. With hard work, I not only delivered results but also expanded my knowledge and skillset.

One of the most significant changes this year has been the shift in my work-life balance. It has certainly tilted more towards ‘life’ than previously. As a parent, I’ve been able to be more present for my child and attend to those “emergencies” that arise in high school —driving him to/from school when he misses the bus and taking forgotten sport gear to the fields, which happened more frequently than I wanted/anticipated-??. Without the flexibility that comes with consulting, I couldn’t have responded to those needs. Additionally, I had more l time last summer to indulge my passion for growing tropical vegetables, an unexpected reward of my new lifestyle.

These may not be groundbreaking revelations, but they have been valuable lessons. I’ve learned that the fears we have about a major life change, when faced head-on, often aren’t as daunting as we imagined. I’m grateful that I kept my professional network alive and, most importantly, that I was willing to knock on new doors, some of which led to opportunities that I hadn’t anticipated. It has been refreshing to adjust the scale of work-life balance in favor of 'life,' and I look forward to the years ahead as a consultant.

As I close out this first year, I want to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. And if you're looking for an experienced and passionate nonclinical consultant, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Happy holidays!