I have a journalism degree but haven't worked in years - is it too late for me??

[Anonymous]

I only want to work very part time as I love staying home with my kids, but I don't think I even know how to write anymore??

[Anonymous]

I'm not in journalism but I would imagine that you might start by volunteering to write pieces for neighborhood papers and things like that and then you can accumulate articles for your portfolio and make contacts, too.

[Anonymous]

Go to your local neighborhood newspaper (not the Post) and ask if they need stringers to cover night meetings (they almost always do), or to write features about local businesses or arts events. They pay almost nothing, but it will get you working again. Also look around for a local parenting publication -- they often take submissions on parenting issues with a local slant. Come up with a bunch of ideas, and pitch them to the editor one at a time. Don't give them your whole list, or they will just take them and use them. This happened to a friend -- an editor asked her to submit a list of story ideas, she did, and the editor assigned the ideas to other people, and never called back my friend. Newspapers are dying these days, but local papers are practically the only source of local news, so they will survive, and always need writers.

[Anonymous]

I agree. My mom was a freelancer for the Journal Newspapers when they first started publishing. She got paid $25 or $50 per piece depending on whether or not it was a cover. Local papers are a way to get your foot in the door.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant the Connection Newspapers, not The Journal

[Anonymous]

Here's a thought. Start a blog and if a lot of people read it, job offers should roll in and in the meantime, you can make money from advertising.