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IT consultant: Mike

This Case Study belongs to IT consultant.

Mike graduated with degrees in both computer science, and audio and recording technology.

I’m working as an IT contractor after completing a degree in computer science and having previously worked as a software engineer for approximately ten years. I decided to move into this line of work as there was regular work available and it pays reasonably well.

IT contract jobs are varied and can require many different skills with emphasis on different skills depending on the task in hand. It’s not always necessary to have the specific technical skills required to complete the task, but it’s important to have worked on similar technologies or to have faced similar scenarios; this is judged as being of great importance. Previous work in IT is essential and most contractors start out in permanent roles before moving into the field of contracting.

The skills you need include:

• technical skills, which are usually application or system specific - for example, programming languages, application or workflow management systems;
• formal skills, which are formal methods and processes relating to managing software processes - for example, development lifecycles, analysis, design and test methods, relational database modelling and project management methodologies;
• personal skills, which include skills relating to how you conduct yourself in the workplace - for example, how well are you able to get on with colleagues? Are you able to communicate ideas to people with varying levels of technical understanding? How do you react to new challenges and unexpected issues?

My role as a contractor is to help the employer achieve their goals and aims. It is important for me to be flexible, as I can often find myself in a situation where I’m taking on more than I’d initially anticipated or find myself in a role different from what I’d expected due to the requirements of the employer. I’m always required to work to high standards, which includes being honest and not complaining, grumbling or trying to obstruct the process. I’m regularly involved in analysis and design work, such as capturing requirements and designing solutions; developmental work, such as developing new and extending existing systems; support work, such as supporting existing applications and clients; and consultancy work, such as providing advice and technical consultancy to other teams and/or business units.

I thoroughly enjoy the job and am particularly interested in solving problems and learning about new technologies. I’m able to work in lots of different industries and places because contracts are often short term and IT is an integral part of most industries - which provides me with new challenges and a varied line of work. For me, the less enjoyable parts of the job are that I’m not always able to choose where I work; it often depends on what’s available at the time when I’m looking for a new contract. This can result in regular commuting and a need to look for work on a regular basis, as well as planning in advance in order to manage potential periods of time without a regular income.

Case Study sourced by Marie Miller of De Montfort University, 19 February 2010.