ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

“I don’t mean to cheapen the experience of the soldiers on the First Day of the Somme but it kind of feels the same, you know?” he said.

“Like, we’re all so terrified and anxious about the future that all you can do it laugh and accept your fate. I’ve accepted my fate, now I’m just waiting for the whistle.”

Conor Smythe is a recent arts graduate from the prestigious Cowell School Of Theatre and Media at the South Betoota Polytechnic College. He recently lost his job at a local carwash. His employer didn’t pay his super; he doesn’t really know what super is, he admits.

There are no jobs in theatre or media right now. He doesn’t really have any connections in theatre or media so finding a job at the best of times in his field is already an uphill battle.

The 21-year-old says he’s completely fucked beyond even his wildest dreams – even more fucked than what his father said he’d be if he did a degree in theatre media.

But rather than let it get him down, Conor said he’s found solace in the fact that he’s not alone.

“There’s literally tens of thousands of us out there,” he said.

“This recession that’s coming up will define our lives. Our professional lives, anyway. The prospect of spending our entire working lives in austerity his just horrifying but what can I do about it? Nothing.”

“So why get upset? There’s no point. Just be thankful you’re alive, even if it sucks for now. Who knows? I might be rich one day. That’s what keeps me going.”

More to come.

