Improvements in the job market continued in 2005 for journalism and mass communication graduates, according to findings just released by the Grady College's James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research.

Data from the Cox Center's Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication Graduates found that 2005 journalism and mass communication bachelor's degree recipients were more likely to have at least one in-person job interview, had more job offers on graduation, and were more likely to actually land a full-time job than were 2004 graduates.

"Job prospects for journalism and mass communication graduates are up for the second straight year," said Lee B. Becker, director of the Cox Center and professor of journalism in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. "We saw improvement not only for bachelor's degree recipients but also for those who earned a master's degree from journalism and mass communication programs."

Job market improvements for 2005 journalism and mass communication graduates cut across all industry segments, however the market remains weaker for graduates specializing in telecommunications than for graduates in print journalism, public relations or advertising. Women enjoyed more success in the job market in 2005; minorities enjoyed less. "All of these findings are continuations of long-standing trends in the field," noted Becker.

Salaries increased for both the 2005 bachelor's and master's degree graduates. Inflation, however, took a heavy toll with bachelor's degree recipients in 2005 earning nearly the same amount in inflation-adjusted dollars as 1988 graduates.

Job satisfaction increased in 2005, both for those in full-time and part-time positions. "Graduates reported being satisfied with their jobs, with their employers, and with their decision to study journalism and mass communication in the first place," noted Becker.

To learn more about the 2005 Graduate Survey, please click here.