Survey: Your Next Consultant Might Be a CIO

Rather than abruptly withdrawing from the daily grind, many IT professionals would consider consulting as a bridge to retirement, finds a survey released today by Robert Half Technology, a Menlo-Park, Calif.-based provider of IT professional services.

Nearly half (46 percent) of CIOs surveyed said they are likely to consider project work or consulting as a way to transition into retirement, with 13 percent saying that they are “very likely” to do so and 33 percent saying they are “somewhat” likely.

Many consider contractual work a lifestyle choice, and not a decision to stop working entirely.

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“Consulting provides a way for IT professionals to continue leveraging the expertise developed over their careers, earn extra income, mentor the next generation of talent and gain the flexibility to pursue other interests—both professional and personal,” said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, in a statement.

Analysts see CIO interest in consulting as a boon for companies, which benefit from taking on experienced professionals for fixed periods of time.

“Seasoned workers who take on consulting roles help employers bridge knowledge gaps, which makes these professionals a desirable source of talent. To recruit from these ranks, companies are increasingly offering work-life balance incentives, such as flexible schedules and telecommuting options,” said Lee.

52 percent of respondents werent willing to consider slowing tapering off full-time work, responding that they were not at all likely to consider consulting as a pre-retirement gig.

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