If you don't like talking to people, especially in person, or to strangers who are not even remotely technical, then get out now.

Sometimes, I feel like I've been consulting since the womb. In practicality, every FTE position I've had, I've really just been
a consultant who happened to have health insurance, and worthless stock options. It's a way of life, that isn't for everybody.

We've all heard the stories before. The brother of a colleague's best friend's cousin makes $150 per hour as a consultant, billing out 1500 hours a year, and spending three months per year on a deserted tropical island. Chalk them up urban legends, consulting is a lot more work than full-time employment.