Journalist Jobs On The Rise: University Of Georgia

Here's a rare piece of good news: the job prospects for young journalists may actually be improving, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

The study, reported by CNN Money on Thursday, found that 66 percent of undergraduate journalism graduates found full-time jobs within eight months after graduation. That marks a jump from 62 percent in 2011 and 56 percent in 2009.

The median annual salary for journalists starting out increased from $31,000 in 2011, to $32,000 in 2012. Job postings for journalists are also up 30 percent from last year, according to the site Gorkana.

University of Georgia journalism professor Lee Becker, who co-wrote the report, attributed the findings to demand for entry-level workers, as some employers eliminate more senior-level jobs. He also credited the increase to the rise of online news start-up online.

It's a rare bright spot in an industry that continues to see major layoffs, lower ad revenues and circulation, and the decline of print media overall. Gannett, for instance, reportedly laid off over 200 people in August and Time Inc. cut hundreds of jobs — the equivalent of 5 percent of its global workforce — earlier this year.

Click over for the University of Georgia's full report.

(h/t CNN Money)