Since February Mediabistro, the New York-based online publishing industry portal, has been seeing a steady growth in help wanted ads. David Sexter, Mediabistro’s head of recruiting, has been seeing more freelance and full-time positions, especially at magazines. But he cautioned that the increase is nothing like the boom in the late-1990s when new dot-coms clamored for young journalists and a booming economy led even traditional media to expand.

In addition, companies are beginning to lift job freezes partly because staffs have downsized as far as they can, says Eric Wee, founder and head of Journalismnext.com, the Washington D.C.-based job site for minority journalists. Wee’s site now has 125 job postings, an increase of 25 percent from the same time in 2003.

The former Washington Post reporter said there’s “cautious optimism” about the 2004 upturn.

“There’s a few more jobs here and there, but not to the point where it’s bursting wide open,” he says. “Companies are inching into it [hiring].”

The growth also is in specific areas. Wee is seeing increased hiring among trade publications, ethnic press, new magazines, and Spanish-speaking media.

As a result career services heads are urging students to take command of their job search, and start their searches early. Melanie Huff, director of career services at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, said she is seeing slightly more recruiting at this year’s annual job fair compared to last year; the job fair is held in April and sees recruiters from a variety of media. Still, she cautioned that it takes an average of three to six months for students to find a full-time work after graduation.

Huff advised students to treat their job search as they would a reporting assignment. Check out every tip. Research every opportunity. Tap alumni for advice. She also offered other tips including joining journalism organizations, scheduling informal meetings with people at places they want to work, and staying in touch with recruiters.

Huff said that the days where students walked out of Columbia’s job fair with offers in hand -- and entry level salaries of $65,000 would not return -- at least in the near future. The 1990s might have raised hopes unrealistically and as a result, the class of 2004 has had to lower their expectations.

“Obviously we can foster relationships within the school…the person sitting next to you might be your editor someday,” said Carrie Giddens, a student at the journalism school. “I think the degree will help me down the road more than it will help me today.”

Journalismnext’s Eric Wee said that regardless of how the economy looks, aspiring journalists should stick with what they are passionate about.