College Quote by Joe Klein
“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
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.
Recognize the value of diverse backgrounds in media.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- hiring practices
- career advice
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does academic prestige affect news quality?
- What can be done to value experience more?
Overemphasis on degrees may overlook talent and real‑world skills.