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News site recruits job seeker as columnist in bid to ‘connect’ with patch’s unheard voices

Shannon BurdenA city news website has taken on an unemployed Millennial as a columnist as part of its bid to connect with readers whose “voices aren’t heard.”

Plymouth Live has unveiled 22-year-old Shannon Burden, pictured, as its latest recruit.

In her debut column, Shannon described life as a job seeker in Plymouth after recently being made redundant.

She had previously worked as a trainee project administrator for a construction firm, having graduated from the University of Exeter last year with an English language degree last year.

Plymouth Live editor Edd Moore told HTFP: “Shannon’s accounts of life as an unemployed Millennial trying to find her way around a new city are told with wit, honesty and a dash of sadness.

“Her first column has immediately struck a chord with readers and been read and shared by thousands of people already – partly because it’s so entertaining but also, I suspect, because so many people can identify with her.

“Shannon writes that her sole aim in life is to be able to afford posh cheese – but she’s speaking about a far more serious issue. It’s a tough time to be a young person coming out of school, college or university There are around 1,400 unemployed 20-24-year-olds in Plymouth right now and we’re proud to be able to give them a voice.

“We’re very passionate about connecting with people who feel their voices aren’t heard and we have a growing audience of young people so we’re very excited to be welcoming Shannon.”