El pilot,

Aviation is an extrovert's game and take that from an introvert. You MUST get out and interact with others skillfully and with confidence. In your career, you will have to lead others, the prequisite for which is listening and following well. You will have to speak to customers and the public; attend mass briefings and classes and participate in them; and finally, as a captain, you will instruct, critique and mentor younger pilots. Finally, you will have crew dinners, cocktails and social events. I have, in 40 years, learned more about flying in those settings than sitting at computer screen. As a teenager, I worked as a line boy at the local airport, listening to and asking airline pilots taught me lessons about flying I use today. Networking is ALL about presenting yourself well AND offering something of value. Being a CFI is the start.

The advice to attend a quality CFI school is one you should take to heart.