Q: I have been an elementary school teacher for 16 years. I want to become a full-time newspaper writer, however, I do not possess a journalism degree. Do you think I have a chance of getting hired by a newspaper? I would really like to get hired as a staff writer for the suburban journals in my area. Do you have any advice for me?!

Mary

A: This will be difficult, but not impossible. I've seen it happen before.

Use your 16 years of teaching experience as a chief asset. Pitch yourself as an education writer. You'll likely have to cover a district other than the one you've been teaching in.

You'll need clips to get the job -- lots of them. If you haven't already written for publication, start stringing for area papers. Editors will want some tangible proof that you can do journalism. The J-degree will not be essential, but the skills are.

Good luck!