Introduction and guide outline
“Being digitally literate is as crucial a skill as any degree you may have."
Vanshika Goenka, founder of Kool Kanya
About this guide
Welcome to your Workplace Digital Literacies guide. This guide equips you with information and digital literacies needed to thrive in your career.
Being informed, digitally capable, and adaptable is essential in today's workplace.
These are key professional skills that are valuable across all industries. Importantly, the way you find and access information in a workplace differs from university. While strong digital capabilities enhance every aspect of your work and help you adapt to diverse professional environments.
In this guide, you'll find practical strategies and resources curated by Deakin Library. These are designed to support your workplace information needs and your continued digital literacies development.
What are workplace digital literacies?
Technical skills focus on the 'what' and 'how' of using digital tools (like knowing how to operate particular software or devices). Digital literacies encompass a broader understanding. It addresses the 'why,' 'when,' 'who,' and 'for whom' aspects, fostering critical thinking about the use of technology in various contexts.
Workplace digital literacies are a range of capabilities and practices required for effective and principled use of technologies in a professional setting. Workplace digital literacies go beyond basic digital skills or technical abilities.
Note
Developing workplace digital literacies means building a flexible, future-ready mindset that supports continuous learning and problem-solving.
Guide outline
This guide is structured in accessible sections, each linked through the menu. Find practical tips, tools, and examples in every section. Check out the outline below for a snapshot of what's covered.
- Find information: Discover places to look for quality info when you no longer have student access to Deakin databases.
- Industry current awareness: Check out strategies for staying informed about new research in your field and other industry news.
- Organise information: Find out about good practices for managing workplace information.
- Digital identity: Your digital footprint matters. Consider how digital identity is tied to your professional reputation.
- Build professional networks: Networking goes beyond LinkedIn connections. Find out how to grow your professional reach.
- Manage digital wellbeing: Tech has blurred work-life boundaries. Get strategies to maintain and support balance.
Contact pathways
As a workplace-focused capabilities guide, different contact details are available based on your needs:
- Deakin Library provides students and graduates with access to information, learning resources, and digital literacies support.
- DeakinTalent connects students and graduates with career development, employment opportunities, and industry partnerships.
- Deakin Alumni offers graduates lifelong connections, career support, exclusive benefits, and opportunities to stay engaged with the university community.
Attribution and acknowledgement
Crediting creators or attributing content is a core part of both academic integrity and being a digital citizen more broadly. Written content has been augmented or refined through the use of text-based generative AI. Some images have also been created with generative AI.
This guide was created by Deakin Library. Text and layout of 'Workplace digital literacies guide' is © Deakin University (2025) and licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Please note that images and graphics are not covered under this licence.
Key advice
Workplace digital literacies are the ability to use digital tools and information effectively in a professional setting. They go beyond technical proficiency to include critical thinking, adaptability, and ethical engagement when working with digital tools and information.
Developing workplace digital literacies means building a flexible, future-ready mindset that supports continuous learning and problem solving.