What can you learn from being a consultant?

Hi Anonymous,

here is a list of the main things you may learn as a consultant:

Solve complex problems. You will learn how to find appropriate solutions for complex issues, even in areas you are not familiar with, using a defined structured approach.
Develop great communication skills. You will learn how to communicate properly with everyone in a company from new hires to C-levels.
Acquire knowledge of multiple industries. You will learn insider aspects of several industries in a very short period of time.
Reach challenging goals with a set time frame. You will learn how to respect apparently impossible deadlines and achieve the objectives required.
Become a team player. You will learn how to have a team-based mentality, as your job as a consultant will be strongly influenced by your team performance.
Master Excel and Power Point. You will learn how to become a lot faster and proficient with these tools than the average user.
Prioritize activities. You will learn how to become 80-20...or alternatively how to sleep very few hours ;). As a consultant, you will always have more things to do than the ones achievable in a certain time frame, hence you will have to constantly decide what to give priority to.

Dolf and Elias have also provided some very good points here:

Hope this helps,

Francesco