There was a key moment in Rorys internship that solidified exactly what Mitchum was talking about

The meeting Mitchum referenced where Rory said nothing. He literally gave her an opportunity, passed the ball to her and she ignored it completely. He said "I'm sure there are eager young college students dying to do a little free lance work" he looked right at her. That was her opportunity to jump in and say "absolutely I definitely would and I could also talk to my fellow writers at the Yale daily news." Paris would have. Instead she just sat there observing.