Hi all,

I'm 29 and have been working for the same consulting company since graduating from university.

I'm currently a Senior Implementation Consultant specialising in Anaplan, and I hold a Master Anaplanner certification (which is relatively rare and quite sought after in the market).

From what I've been told by people I trust, I'm likely to be promoted to Manager by the end of this year. On paper, my career is progressing well.

However, I've started questioning whether this is the path I actually want.

Current situation

Over the last year:

• I've taken on more sales responsibilities.
• I've moved from a Solution Architect role to more of a Project Manager role.
• I'm spending less time on the technical and delivery side, which is what I enjoy most.

The more senior I become, the more consulting is pushing me towards:

• Sales
• Account management
• PowerPoint
• Internal management

Rather than the implementation and problem-solving work that originally attracted me to the profession.

Why I'm considering freelancing

I've been thinking about going freelance for over a year.

I actually spoke with another consulting firm last year that was willing to work with me as a freelancer, but I decided not to make the jump because I felt I still had things to learn in my current company.

Now the idea is coming back much more strongly.

The main reasons are:

• I have a niche skill set that is in demand.
• I'd like to stay closer to delivery and solution design.
• I want to challenge myself and experience building my own business.
• I don't necessarily want to climb the traditional consulting ladder.
• I could work less for more money which is utimately a goal for me.

For context, my company bills clients at roughly €1,800 - 1,900/day for my role. I believe I could realistically freelance at around €1,000/day and still have a strong business case.

What worries me

The leap feels risky.

Some concerns:

• I'd need a client before resigning (for safety).
• My contract doesn't allow me to create a company while still employed.
• I have a non-compete clause.
• I'd be giving up the security and benefits of a large consulting firm.

Current compensation is roughly:

• €53k gross yearly salary
• Standard benefits package from a large consulting company

Long-term goals

My goal isn't necessarily to become rich.

What I want over the next 10-15 years is:

• To stop worrying about money
• To use my income to buy assets and ultimately time to enjoy life
• More control over the type of work I do

My dilemma

I feel like I have two good options:

1. Stay where I am, continue progressing, become a manager, and if I don't like it/am unhappy simply move to a role in the industry (join one of my client company or similar (big corps))...
2. Take a risk, go freelance, stay closer to the work I enjoy, and see where it leads but what if it fails...

Part of me worries I'd be walking away from a very good career path.

Another part of me worries that if I don't try freelancing now, I'll become even more tied to the management track and regret not taking the opportunity.

If you were in my position, would you make the jump to freelancing? Is this a reasonable risk at 29, or am I underestimating the downside?

Side question: How much of a constraint is the non-compete? (is it often waved for my position and salary range)