There's an old saying that history belongs to the victors: meaning that in times of conflict, the version of events we hear usually comes from the winning side.

But in the digital era, as every moment spent online becomes an escalating battle for our attention, the saying starts to make more sense in reverse: meaning that in the future, the winning side is likely to be the one that can tell the best story.

The art of storytelling has been central to human life for tens of thousands of years. From the earliest cave paintings to the first newspaper, all the way through Instagram and Netflix, we’ve used stories to define ourselves, communicate with others, and understand our shared place in a changing world.

And as that changing world brings a 24/7 stream of information into our lives, the age-old art of communication – of using stories to share ideas, shape arguments and inspire action – is becoming key to almost every future career.

Associate Professor Sandy O'Sullivan, from USC’s School of Creative Industries, says that in a complex and cluttered marketplace, organisations are increasingly seeking skilled, strategic communicators who know how to make a message stand out.

“Over the past few decades, the global economy has shifted to become what we call knowledge driven – a model where growth is based on the quality of information and services, rather than the production of goods,” Dr O'Sullivan says.

“In the knowledge economy, almost every industry now requires skilled workers who know how to analyse information, craft messages and communicate effectively across technological and geographical borders.

“This is why we consistently see strong communication skills near the top of the list of what employers are looking for in graduates.”