There really were no significantly negative aspects for me while working for USDM other than perhaps the potential uncertainties inherent in working under contract for variable periods of time for our clients. That is, it is ultimately the client that dictates their changing needs to us as the provider of expert resources; and sometimes the client does not always understand what is best. This sort of “downside” is really only an acknowledgement of the environment in which you agree to work as part of a consultant organization.
Realistically, it is the client who must first propose or establish a reasonable budget and timeframe for work that we, as experts, can respond to and agree to deliver as much as possible. If you are consulting, I am presuming that you already have significant expertise and experience that is really worth sharing. USDM works hard to match experts with the job at hand and then to manage projects and communications very effectively so that reasonable tasks are accomplished and coordinated on time.
As a consultant it is not always possible to be available for all potential clients, and it is likely that the more rewarding contracts will not be available at any given time. In fact, there may be uncomfortably lengthy periods of downtime during which no suitable client contract is available. Some other consulting firms often imply that sufficient work is always available to remain fully employed at all times; however, I did not expect USDM to always have my next assignment at the ready once the current one was completed.
Everyone’s situation is of course different; in my case, I usually restricted myself to only local clients unless the bulk of any proposed work could be performed remotely. Indeed, I enjoyed at least one interesting project where I traveled afar (out of the U.S.) only a few times while performing most of the work from home; but I would gladly work with USDM and that client again in the future, traveling as needed.
