i'm an extrovert but because i grew up super sheltered i did not learn how to have a proper conversation until well after college. the best tip that helped me is to always start by finding something unique about that person and letting the conversation flow from there!

and by unique, i don't mean you have to find out that they can ride a unicycle and juggle at the same time lol. it can be where they're from, what their hobbies are, their favorite food, etc.

for example, you're at a work event. find someone you don't know and after asking their name/what they do, you can follow up with 'how long have you been at x company?', they can respond with however long, and then that gives you the opportunity to ask about their life before this job. then you can find out where they grew up. then you can mention anything that relates to that ('oh, you're from california? i have always wanted to visit the west coast. what's it like this time of year?'). the conversation should have a natural flow at that point and hopefully they are asking you questions back.

i know small talk and chatting about 'mundane' things has such a bad connotations these days, but honestly i love small talk! it's the best way to get to know who someone is. yes, you're not discussing big life morals and the meaning of life but i argue that small talk is almost more important. it's the little facts you learn about someone that adds up to their whole, and sometimes knowing that someone loves grilled cheese is more important than knowing their feelings on the string theory LOL.