Just my thoughts on the first guitar .....
If you're buying electric, remember you're going to need a small bit of an amp. Otherwise you'll be limited to plugging in to your computer, which limits your mobility.
As for the guitar itself look for a straight neck and solid intonation. As well, there are many good guitars out there in that price range but the are just a many not so good guitars. I'd say the most depressing and discouraging problem a new less expensive electric guitar has, is it's ability to stay in tune. Nothing more exasperating than a guitar that won't stay in tune.
Just my opine here... I'd rather see a first timer pick up on a better acoustic guitar before jumping on the electric wagon. Here are a couple three reasons I say this ...
- Mobility (you can play it anywhere)
An acoustic gives more incentive to learn multiple styles and techniques, i.e., finger picking.....
Less expensive to maintain
Starting on acoustic helps build your hand and finger muscles more quickly
You can play most any rock tune on an acoustic and it still sounds good
Cool factor .... Dylanesque, Free Wheelin' .... 
Anything you can do on an acoustic is directly transferable to an electric later on
again, that's just my opinion... and exactly how I encouraged my son who is now an accomplished electric bassist as well as guitarist .
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Les