5. Skill Builder Develop your skill at cultivating informal communication networks by following these instructions:

a. Choose one of the following information goals, or identify a school- or work-related goal of your own.

1. Decide w hich i nstructors a nd/or courses in an academic department of your institution are worth seeking out and which you might want to avoid.

2. Identify the qualities that would help you get the job of your dreams.

3. Determine which software program best suits your needs for a given application

(e.g., word processing, database)

and context (e.g., customer tracking, report w riting).

b. Identify the people who can help you acquire the information you are seeking.

Locate people from a variety of positions within the organization so you will gain a complete perspective. For each person, decide which channel you could use to begin t o d evelop y our n etwork.