I would try to wrangle up some 1/8" thick steel x whatever you can find steel to practice running your beads on.
Just flow out the bead in a straight line trying to be consistent. Run beads parallel and then flip over.
See what happens when you go slower or faster. See what happens when you weave the arc...very slightly....little "C" shape as you go or draw little circles in the direction of travel. Change the arc voltage and then the wire speed.
A consistent bacon frying sound is what my instructor urged as a sign of the proper stickout. Slow the feed to minimize spatter but keep smoothness.
When things start looking good try a **** joint and then a fillet (setup a "T" shape so you can practice on both sides.
On the cooled joints you can cut thru the welded area (cross-section, cut perpendicular plane relative to the direction of travel) with a bandsaw or cutoff disk and view the penetration. Then try back-beveling the leg of the "T" down to a sharp beveled edge from both sides (make the metal look like a "V" in cross section like a lawnmower blade more or less) and then weld it, and cut it to see the difference.
Try drilling some small 1/8" holes in the steel and welding them shut. Now drill a 1/2" hole in the steel and weld it shut.
There are more exercises for sure but practicing those skills will get you ready for a lot of different jobs.
