More and more IT talents are consciously opting for a career in consulting instead of pure software development. We spoke to Anna, one of our consultants, about her motivation, the role of AI in the IT industry and why consulting is so exciting right now.
Anna, what made you decide to start in IT consulting - and not in development?
Mt was clear from the very beginning of my studies that I didn't want to work exclusively in development, because I was particularly interested in the interaction between programming and the business context. I didn't just want to write code, I also wanted to understand the why behind IT solutions and how technologies can be used strategically to create added value in companies and drive them forward. It is precisely this combination and the close Zooperation with customers to together Developing solutions is what makes IT consulting exciting for me. And that makes it a very varied job, where you can always see the impact of your own work directly.
Many developers are currently asking themselves how AI will affect their jobs. How do you see this as a consultant?
I see AI as an opportunity in the consulting sector. Of course, AI tools can generate code, but they do not replace this understanding of business processes, customer needs or the strategic integration of a solution into an existing system landscape. And that is precisely the strength of consultants, knowing where and how technology can be used sensibly. AI also opens up completely new business opportunities for us. With solutions such as our AI Extractor, we are creating new projects that are actively supported and implemented by consultants.
What makes the job as a Consultant exciting for you personally?
What I find particularly exciting is the diversity of the projects. No two projects are the same. You work with different customers from many different industries and get so many new perspectives. It also ensures that you are constantly learning and absorbing new knowledge. Exciting scenarios and modern technologies are simply part of the job and you quickly build up a broad and in-depth knowledge base.
Many people think that consulting is „just PowerPoint“. How much technology is actually in your everyday life?
Many people still associate the consulting sector with pure customer meetings and beautiful PowerPoint presentations, but in reality this falls far short. Soft skills are important, but IT consulting is not possible today without technical understanding and business expertise. In my day-to-day work, I work on technical topics such as cloud migration, process automation and AI-based solutions. At best, this is only marginally about creating appealing PowerPoint slides. First and foremost, I work on designing solutions together with colleagues, thinking through and co-designing additional functions and features with a view to the user experience and being available as a contact person for colleagues from Development. Modern consulting is much more technical and practical than you might think.
„The work offers me the opportunity to develop professionally and personally in every project and to take on new challenges.“
What role does the „market leader knowledge“ that you are building up at CONCETO play?
Through cooperation with leading companies such as SAP or Microsoft and the use of state-of-the-art technologies, I can build up highly specialised knowledge that you can't simply pick up from books or training courses. The insights into the working methods of market leaders and industry-specific challenges are also particularly valuable. This expertise is not only practically relevant, but also transferable for future projects. For me, this is a great opportunity to develop my professional skills quickly, learn a lot from experienced colleagues and at the same time gain a good understanding of current technologies and business topics - especially in a company that is so strongly positioned in terms of technology and business expertise.
What does your everyday life as a Consultant look like - and what was your biggest surprise?
My day-to-day work is very varied. I was directly involved in projects right from the start and was able to take on responsibility early on. I find it particularly exciting that you don't just go along for the ride, but also have the opportunity to contribute your own ideas and actively work on solutions. A large part of my work consists of direct dialogue with customers from different industries, which makes the job even more varied. My biggest surprise was how quickly you develop professionally and personally. The daily challenges mean you learn an incredible amount in a short space of time.
How would you explain to someone why consulting is a safe and future-oriented decision right now?
Consulting is a very safe and future-oriented decision right now, because companies need support in the targeted use of technologies more than ever. Topics such as AI, cloud and automation offer great opportunities, but are also complex and strategically challenging. This is exactly where consultants come into play. They bridge the gap between technology and business and help companies not only to introduce this technology, but also to create real added value from it. And the demand for precisely this expertise is growing continuously, and with it the importance of the consulting role for the future.
What advice would you give to IT graduates who are wavering between Development and Consulting?
I would advise IT graduates to think about what else is important to them apart from programming. Consulting offers the opportunity not only to solve technical problems, but also to learn how to communicate solutions clearly and categorise them in the customer context. You develop a much better understanding of how technologies actually create value and drive companies forward. At the same time, however, the technical ability is retained, supplemented by business expertise. This combination of technological understanding and strategic thinking is very valuable and makes you practically irreplaceable in many areas.
How do you see your future in consulting?
I clearly see my future in consulting at CONCETO in the long term. The work offers me the opportunity to develop professionally and personally in every project and to take on new challenges. In doing so, I build up sustainable knowledge that will accompany me throughout my entire career. At the same time, you stay close to technological developments in consulting. This is exactly what makes the field so exciting and future-orientated for me.
That sounds great! Then I wish you every success with your future career and thank you very much for the interview.
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