Honestly, I feel like getting bit by small snakes is a great thing for snake keepers. You will realize how harmless they really are. My partner recently got their first snake at a show, a leucistic Texas rat snake. They are know for being comically defensive. As someone who has kept snakes for many years and worked at pet shops in the past, my advice was to get what interests you, not what other people think is the best first snake. After a couple months and a handful of bites (only one of which barely broke the skin), the snake is eating, growing, and as docile as a corn snake. It took the first couple bites to help my partner realize that half the time you don't even realize you've been bitten. Not sure if this is helpful to your situation, but you might find that handling and getting bit by a defensive snake helps you be more confident in your handling in general. I promise it won't be as bad as you think.