Glad to hear that you're in the welding game now Sparky. The trick is to gain the confidence to get started, get a little help along the way and self criticize every weld you make. As long as your own criticism is constructive and you work to make each weld better than the last, time and practice will make you a very competent weldor.
Congratulations on taking the first steps.
Pete
P.S. Don't let everyone know, but it's probably easier to weld aluminum than it is to weld steel although it's probably a little more difficult to get serious penetration.
PJ