How do you become networking consultant?

I am in the middle of getting my Associates degree in Networking and have been giving a lot of thought to doing consultant work after graduating.
How do you become a Networking consultant? What kind of education would I need? Is it a good place to start out in?
I have heard that salaries are really good in consulting and that it is a great way to get experience, but I’m having some difficulty getting information about it.
Any advice from anyone who knows anything about this would really be usefull for me. THANX!!