When I started in the press there were really ink-stained…
“When I started in the press there were really ink-stained wretches. Not everybody went to college. Now, everybody at the New York Times and the Washington Post and Salon and Slate, most of them have Ivy League educations.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Journalism has shifted from a trade learned on the job to a profession dominated by elite academic credentials.
In simple terms: Journalism now favors Ivy League graduates over practical experience.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the value of diverse backgrounds in media.
Themes
media
education
elitism
career paths
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- hiring practices
- career advice
- media criticism
Key Concepts
credentialism
social mobility
professionalization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does academic prestige affect news quality?
- What can be done to value experience more?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on degrees may overlook talent and real‑world skills.