One of the single most important aspects of gaining your SEO comfort level is to exercise your skills by reason of use (or practice.)
The easiest way to do this is to create a few of your own high quality informational sites and you can make money at the same time with affiliate marketing. I want to encourage you in this direction because it will set you free in terms of proving to yourself that you CAN do it. The sooner the better.
Too often you have the new SEO focused on selling (before they know for a fact) that they can make a huge impact with their skills. Everything in order.
Do what you need to to prove to yourself you can do the job and then you’ll be ready to offer consultation or take on clients.