My situation is different from what you are describing but its worth 
mentioning it to give you some ideas.

After I graduated I worked for a few years and a few different companies at 
very different levels of electronic design (component first then full 
system).

My consultancy work started by making a deal with a co-worker because we 
both wanted to make things (and money).  The initial products never took off 
mainly because they were modules in someone else's end product so my 
business was really just a tax write-off for a while.

I just started a new job in April and now my last company is hiring me back 
as a consultant to make further modifications to my last projects and design 
accessories.  They have to pay me more than double what I was getting before 
so I'm happy to charge them a premium.

Also, my old co-worker and I have been getting away from the module side of 
things unless we are given a design fee first to cover the effort put into 
making the thing.  We are now finishing some of our own end products and the 
experience we gained from previous projects is invaluable.

My advice summary would be to get more experience yourself or get with 
someone who has been there and done that before making the jump if you want 
to be safer.  Otherwise its a leap of faith.  Even talking with a consultant 
who doesn't do electronics/software will be a good idea.  Either way 
congratulations on graduating and I wish you good luck with your endeavours.

Regards,
Andy




>From: "scott larson" <goldscott@gmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
>To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
>Subject: [PIC] Consulting Questions
>Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 13:19:47 -0500
>
>Hi all,
>
>I will be graduating college this spring, and I'm interested in
>embedded control.
>I am curious to know how well PIC consultants and embedded
>designers/programmers make out financially. What are some standard
>rates and fees per hour?
>How long does a (small, medium, large) project usually take and what
>is the final cost of the project?
>How much can one expect to make annually?
>
>I don't mean to invade anyone's privacy, I know this is a touchy
>issue. I don't expect you to give me how much you make, but I would
>like a range of values and/or some typical numbers.
>
>
>Thank you all,
>
>Scott Larson
>--
>http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
>View/change your membership options at
>http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist


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