Why I Went Independent After Working at a Workday® Partner

What I gained, what changed, and why I’d do it again

Working at a Workday® partner was one of the best decisions I made early in my career. It gave me structure, deep training, and a solid foundation in how Workday is built and delivered. I earned certifications, worked alongside experienced teams, and learned how to run implementations the right way.

But after several years, I moved into independent consulting. It wasn’t about leaving the partner world behind. It was about building on what I had learned and taking that knowledge into new environments. Here’s what I’ve gained since going independent, and why I haven’t looked back.

🔧 1. More Hands-On Access to Configuration

Even after being in the Workday ecosystem for over a decade, I’ve learned more about the system by working directly in tenants with live, complex configuration.

At a partner, I built from scratch and focused on assigned deliverables. Now I get dropped into tenants that have been live for years. I see how other teams configured things, how companies customized their setup, and what evolves over time. It’s been one of the fastest ways to level up, especially in areas I hadn't touched before.

It’s the kind of learning you can’t get from training materials or structured builds. You only get it from seeing real-world tenants up close.

📚 2. Learning New Modules Without Certification

As a partner resource, I was limited to the modules I was certified in. As an independent, clients don’t always draw that line. They bring me in to help with design and cleanup across multiple areas.

I’ve gotten experience in Benefits and Payroll by reviewing and adjusting configuration as part of broader projects. Even if I’m not doing full implementations in these areas, I’ve learned how the business processes, integrations, and validations work by being involved.

The benefit is I’m learning more about how Workday fits together across the full HCM suite without needing to wait for a certification to get hands-on.

🏢 3. Working with All Types of Clients

Partners often focus on enterprise clients going through full deployments. As an independent, I work with private equity firms, hospitals, international orgs, and public companies. Some are brand new to Workday. Others have been live for years and are cleaning up old config. Some want help planning new modules. Others need quick fixes in Recruiting or Core HCM.

Each one brings a different challenge and a new way of thinking. That variety has made me a better consultant, faster.

⚡ 4. Faster Problem Solving with Less Red Tape

Partner work is thorough but can be slow. Reviews, change orders, and internal approvals all take time. As an independent, I can move quickly. If something needs to be fixed, I can access the config, make updates, test, and move forward without waiting days for approval.

That doesn’t mean cutting corners. It just means solving problems faster, which clients appreciate.

🕓 5. More Control Over My Schedule

This part is personal, but it matters. I can choose which clients to work with, how many hours I want to commit, and when I want to take a break. The flexibility helps me manage time zones, energy, and deadlines. It also means I can work on projects that align with my interests, like getting deeper into Compensation or exploring Planning, without being locked into one path.

🧠 6. Becoming a Strategic Voice, Not Just a Builder

As an independent, I’m not just executing tasks. I’m helping clients think through design decisions, fix long-standing pain points, and plan future phases. I often work closely with client leadership, reviewing strategy and making recommendations based on what I’ve seen across industries.

That kind of role is harder to get at a partner unless you’re a solution architect or in leadership. On my own, I’ve earned that seat by building trust and delivering value.

Final Thought

Going independent doesn’t mean forgetting where you came from. I’m still thankful for my time at a Workday partner. That experience gave me the baseline I needed to succeed. But stepping into the independent world opened up a new layer of learning that’s been just as valuable.

If you’re thinking about going independent, start by figuring out what kind of work energizes you and where you still want to grow. Then build from there. The variety, access, and flexibility might surprise you in a good way.