It seems like only yesterday when discussions of tomorrow’s workplace would focus on the fast-learning Y Generation in an age of remote working and a strange world that is always connected.  Yet, over the next few years a new crop of graduates will be becoming our colleagues, and will have a different view of the digital age and the workplace that is set to come afterwards.

These individuals, ideally called Generation Z (in keeping with studies as far back as the 50s and 60s which established post-war youngsters as Generation X), are individuals who have never really known the world without the internet.  According to Australian social researcher Mark McCrindle this means they view the web not as a productivity solution or tool, as the majority of those born before do, but instead as a strata of everyday life and thus: ‘how they express themselves and…how they define themselves.’

This observation is all the more intriguing when noting that the oldest of Generation Z were aged 15 when YouTube was launched and when Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace.  They were barely into double figures when Google really took off.  However, these youngsters – some of which are already two years into their university degrees – may not be as keen to enter the digital/social workplace as we might expect.

This is the opinion of journalism lecturer and blogger Roy Greenslade.  He identifies that while today’s students may be “digital natives” (or “naturals” as McCrindle would describe them), it is tangible and traditional (and secure?) “old media” that they really want to get involved in after university – because, amongst other reasons, this is the path taken by those who have made it before them.

The interest of Generation Z in ‘old media’ highlights some further questions of tomorrow’s workplace and those who will work in what some are calling The “Post-Digital” Age.  At the very least, we are perhaps anticipating more of a marriage between traditional and 21^st Century tools and practices, such as the need for face to face collaboration and a physical community to ensure a productive team, no matter how digital or electronic the final outcome is.  Of course this is something that we at Lemon Studios are very interested in; it’s our reason for being.

Yet, as for those who will staff tomorrow’s workplace, Greenslade’s observation highlights a great degree of foresight on the part of today’s youngsters.  After all, as opposed to simply knowing the next big digital thing, it will no doubt be the skill of adaptability between old and new media, and having a clear knowledge of both which will really benefit those set to make it in the “Post-Digital” workplace.