Good for you. If you are really smart you'll join a group like Stay Frosty, that is especially made for maximum fun, adventure and daring do. But it is important for you to know something up front - joining a Pirate Corporation doesn't automagically make you a Pirate.
I wish it did, but Eve isn't built like that. What you have is called an opportunity, and it is up to you how you deal with that opportunity. Your corp mates will help, the forums will help, and blog posts like this will help.
Here are the TEN things you need to know about being a successful pirate in New Eden.
1. You are not going to conquer the Universe at first, so chill out
Your enthusiasm is awesome and thank you for bringing it with you. But take a deep breath and swallow that chill pill. You have much to learn and school starts on day one, no matter how old your character, what you did before, or where you come from. Just relax and don't feel like you have to prove yourself right away. Always remember the maxim - you get out what you put in. And in low sec the best investment is time.
2. Start Small
T1 Frigates are amazing little ships, they are cheap, effective and they (by their very nature) teach you all you need to know about 1v1 combat and survival. Fly them. Park the shiny stuff and resist the urge to fly big ships for now. It will be less stress on your pocket book and give you the time you need for some of these other numbers. If you've joined Stay Frosty, we even give you FREE Frigates to fly! Everyone loves free.
3. ASK
Despite what you might have heard, there are no better people than pirates. They are more than willing to help, offer advice and talk endlessly about that fight you just had. I've been in a lot of corps over the years and there is always someone willing to help you. But they can't help unless you ask. We are awesome, but we can't read minds. (Just like your girlfriend/boyfriend keeps telling you!)
4. Gates and Stations
Don't fight on them or near them! The mechanics of engaging and defending your ship on Stargates and Stations is complicated and confusing at first, so stay away from them. Land and jump, or land and dock. Leave it at that for now. I've seen way to many young players derping themselves because they don't understand the game mechanics. Focus on space for the first couple of weeks and months, there is enough to learn out there.
5. Overview
The second most important tool in your UI. (The most important one is #6) Take the time to get your overview set-up properly. Again, ask for help. There are good overview settings available to download, but I recommend taking some time to work thru it yourself. It teaches you valuable lessons about what is in there, how to use it, and what it all means. Remember, you can have multiple tabs and various overviews. Keep your primary overview clean and simple.
6. D-Scan
The single most important tool you need to learn. Even more important than fittings, manual piloting and all the other things in the entire freaking game! I kid you not. Use your d-scan, learn your d-scan, love your d-scan, marry your d-scan. Even a badly fitted ship can win a fight, but you can't find fights without your d-scan.
7. Target Acquisition
Once you find a target with your d-scan it is important to ask yourself - can I win? What are the odds? Do I even have a chance? For some of us older and more experienced players, these questions come naturally to us. But for the younger or first timers, it is worth a pause. What are the strengths of your ship? And what are the weaknesses of your enemy? Learning this equation and the odds involved takes time, so be wary at first. Ask in fleet chat, ask in corp chat, weigh your options. Ask for back-up, there is nothing wrong with asking. The idea is NOT to die. If you are unsure, then move on. There will be plenty of other chances and your ship is still alive.
8. Intel
Fly around the neighborhood, get to know the systems, the locals, the common movements of ships. If a system has 40 people in it, what are they doing? Are they all together? If so, you should probably move on to the next system. Take the time to canvas the neighborhood, this is where you live and play. Know your neighbors. Spy on them. Watch them. They have habits which you can learn to exploit.
9. Have a Buddy
Your buddy can change all the time, but flying with someone is a great way to learn. Pirates love enthusiasm and willingness to learn, the only thing we don't like is docked pilots. Get out there and get involved. Join gangs, get into trouble, scout systems, report intel. You find a Dominix ratting in a belt, you'll be a hero.
10. ISK
Nothing creates frustration like not having ISK. Be sure to have a plan, an alt or some other way to make ISK for yourself. In Stay Frosty we have many options for you, so just ask. I'm sure other corps also have options available. We all have the same problem and many solutions exist, so don't feel like you are alone. We all need to make ISK to pay for our stuffs. Loot helps, stealing ships helps, ransoms help, but sometimes they are not enough.
There is no greater feeling then the first time all of this comes together for you. That time when all the pieces fall into place and magic happens, you find a target, manage to get engaged and then watch as it explodes into a gazillion little pieces. It takes time, effort and learning to get to that moment. There are no shortcuts. But it is worth it.
There are more guides available here on Eveoganda, just use the search function or visit the GUIDES page, the link is in the blue bar above. Or read the archives. Or use Google.
Now get out there and have some fun for goodness sake.