Consulting is something I'd always been curious to try but wary about because of the lifestyle and inconsistency. I'd always been told that it's physically demanding because consultants are expected to travel up to 100%, which in business, implies Monday-Thursday on the client site and Friday at the home office. On the other hand, mentors and panelists have shared that consulting is great for entry-level professionals because of the opportunity to learn a lot very quickly - varying roles in varying industries. 

However, like anything new, there's a lot to discover once you're on the actual job. During the time I was a design consultant at IBM iX, I observed many elements that make consulting truly different from any other line of business. Below, I present 5 things I wish I knew about consulting.

A couple of blocks from my home in Seattle, there used to be a homeless encampment called Nickelsville. During my last year of high school, I'd walk past it and see families keeping warm around a fire and kids running around their shelters. Getting off the freeway ramp on Dearborn or Rainier, I'd see homeless men sit or walk up to cars begging for money or a smile. I grew accustomed to homelessness and became familiar with how to approach them - just avoid eye contact, especially if you're not going to give.