Is lack of degree stopping me?

Q: I appreciate all of the information you provide at both the Free Press' job site and in your blog. Here's my question:

I have more than 16 years of newspaper experience, starting a year out of high school as a part-timer at 18 years old and going full-time two years later. I'm now working at my fourth newspaper, with a daily circulation of about 70,000. I've been here for six years and I'm looking to move on, up to a larger paper.

Do I realistically have a chance at making it even in the door at a larger paper considering my lack of a college degree? I've been working on an associate's degree in the past year, but not in mass communications.

I should note that in the past six years I've had interviews at three larger papers and the Associated Press, so I've had some success in at least getting interviewed.

Thanks.

Michael

A: Your problem is not your lack of a college degree. Your experience should more than assure editors that you know what you're doing.

Get a degree if you want one, but don't expect it to dramatically improve your career prospects. Your chances -- and perhaps this missed opportunity -- are all tied up in the work you're doing, the way you interview and the strength of your competition.