In 2015 US Census Bureau estimated the consulting industry to be worth around 600 Billion dollars. That's Billion with a B. Since 2000 this is one industry that has seen a constant growth year over year.

This is the newest trend in business. The business world has gotten smarter, slimmer, and meaner. Instead of employing more people, they now rely heavily on hiring consultants.

Hiring a consultant is easier, it is a contract job, and these consultants are not on the company's payroll, there is no benefits, no 401K plans, and no health insurance for them. So companies have fewer expenses and less legacy cost.

Let's now talk about what it takes to be a consultant. Do you need a PhD on a subject to be a consultant? Sure that will help, but most of us do not have such degrees. In reality, 75% or more professional consultants out in the workforce today do not have more than a Bachelor's degree. Out of that 75% around 20% do not even have a Bachelor's degree.

Being a consultant is not about having a degree but it is about being knowledgeable on a specific subject.

I have a friend, who worked for a solar panel maker for a few years. He recently started his own solar conversion consulting company where he is doing very well. The best part is, he never went to college.

If you wonder, why and how this is possible, think about it, by working at a solar panel-making company, he had plenty of exposure to everything solar. Now as a consultant, he is consulting companies on how to do a solar conversion and save energy cost. He is enjoying the fruits of Green living movement.