Preparing a global workforce: Developing digital competencies to prepare students for post-graduation employment

Colleges and universities today need to prepare their students to be successful in a global workplace. In the business world, students will be expected to use digital tools with correspondents and teams across multiple time zones, communicating with multi-cultural teammates in meetings via online conferencing software through the use of digital collaboration tools. This paper provides an overview of digital communication tools used for collaboration, virtual meetings and training. These tools encourage virtual collaboration, communication and community building, and promote cross-cultural understanding while improving English language communication skills. SUNY Empire State College International Program courses are used as an example of how online learning platforms, video and audio-based virtual meeting software, cloud-based document creation and sharing services are used. A comprehensive compilation of digital tools is categorized for file sharing, collaborative work, social media and networking as they intersect with business practices. Documented benefits illustrate how college programs bring digital learning into their business programs. Aspects of synchronous and asynchronous communication tools add to the global learning experience. Faculty as well as student views of selected cloud-based tools are included, along with a discussion of how they provide important digital literacy skills and enhanced cultural intelligence.