From Academia to Consulting: A Career Shift with Big Lessons
3 min read
Introduction
Navigating a career shift can be daunting, especially when it involves jumping into an entirely new field. In a recent interview on the Ask an Expert podcast, Legato Strategic Consulting founder and CEO, Kristina Kelpe, shared her inspiring journey from academia to independent consulting. Her story is packed with valuable insights for anyone considering a career transition, as well as for institutions looking to get the most out of their Workday Student implementations.
Whether you're interested in Workday consulting or Workday Student insights, this interview summary is full of lessons worth learning.
Click here to listen to the full interview
The Unexpected Leap into Tech
Kristina didn’t start out in tech. She studied political science and English, even getting a master’s degree in political science with the intent of becoming a faculty member. But while working in career services, she saw something alarming: PhD students at top universities struggling to find jobs. That got her thinking about career stability, and eventually, a move into the world of higher education administration.
Soon after, the first real career shift came when an IT person at her university saw potential in her and encouraged her to move into systems work. Despite feeling unqualified, she took on the challenge. Over the years, she found herself increasingly involved in Workday Student implementations, gaining expertise in systems, operations, and data analytics. Eventually, she made the leap into consulting—and never looked back.
Becoming an Independent Consultant
After working as a functional consultant for an implementation partner and later returning to the client side, Kristina found herself in a situation where the Workday project she was managing was put on hold. Faced with uncertainty, she had two choices: take another traditional role or go independent. A mentor reminded her of a goal she had written down years earlier—to own her own business. That nudge gave her the courage to take the plunge into independent consulting.
Since then, she’s built her own consulting firm and assembled a team that focuses on helping institutions with not just Workday Student, but their entire technology stack.
Why Independent Consultants Matter in Workday Implementations
Kristina's experience with both implementation partners and higher education institutions gives her a unique perspective. She notes that while implementation partners are great at getting a system live, they operate under strict contracts and methodologies leaving gaps in addressing the real operational needs of an institution.
That’s where independent consultants come in. Kristina and her team focus on:
Bridging gaps between Workday and other systems – Many institutions use Workday alongside tools like Slate or homegrown applications. Understanding how everything works together is crucial.
Providing on-demand support – Instead of rigid ticketing systems, her firm offers flexible, real-time help that is personalized to the institution.
Helping institutions strategize for the future – Beyond just getting Workday live, they help schools plan long-term improvements and efficiencies.
The Value of Mentorship and Asking Questions
One of Kristina's biggest pieces of advice? Find mentors and ask questions.
Throughout her career, she sought out experts, asked to learn from them, and never hesitated to ask “basic” questions in meetings. More often than not, others were wondering the same thing but were too hesitant to ask.
She encourages people breaking into Workday consulting—whether independent or through a firm—to take an inquisitive approach. The more questions you ask, the faster you’ll grow.
Common Mistakes in Workday Student Implementations
For institutions implementing Workday Student, Kristina highlights three major pitfalls:
Not thinking about downstream impacts – Configuration decisions can have ripple effects across the system. Testing should go beyond basic use cases and mimic real-world processes.
Skipping pre-implementation planning – Institutions should start planning at least two years in advance, mapping out processes and identifying gaps.
Underestimating the change management effort – Workday is a major shift from legacy systems. Institutions need a phased approach to adoption, with clear priorities on what needs to be at 100% vs. what can be improved over time.
Final Thoughts
Kristina's story is proof that career transitions—especially unexpected ones—can lead to incredible opportunities. Her journey from academia to Workday consulting, and eventually to business ownership, is an inspiring example of what’s possible when you embrace change, stay curious, and surround yourself with great mentors.
For institutions navigating Workday Student implementations, her advice is clear: plan ahead, ask questions, and consider bringing in independent experts to help you bridge the gaps that implementation partners might not cover.
If you want to connect with Kristina, reach out and let's chat!
Click here to listen to the full interview
