I traditionally recommend squire strats (the 'usual' 3 single coil ones) to anyone who asks me, but in the interests of balance, an Epiphone SG would also check the boxes.

At your point in the road, it's more about inspiration/vibe than how fine an instrument you get. You need something you want to pick up and play. The main thing for beginners on humbucker guitars like epiphones vs singles like squire is how the pickup and control layout interferes with your picking action. I find it near impossible to play a Les Paul properly because I keep hitting the top of the pickup with my pick and/or turning the volume down as I move my hand across the strings.

When you are doing the play tests, try more than one strat, and more than one epiphone or whatever - I played every Tele in the store before I decided on one... even if you can't 'play' yet, you'll know what you like or not even if you don't know why....