I started my business, more as a structured hobby, in 1978. I didn't give up a day job until 1993. This is only to qualify the following:
> Everything I've been doing the past 20+ years I learned on my own. My engineering degree (B.S. Sys Sci, Mich State '76) gave me the capacity & confidence that I Could continue to learn by my own determination.
> I'm a big fan of Freescale 9S08 series microcontrollers. Inexpensive, versatile and more flavors than Baskin Robbins. I recommend one of the Demo08 boards, from DigiKey or Mouser for $60-$100. Start the tutorial at page 1 and don't look back. This is not to denigrate PIC devices, I just learned a different architecture.
> Get an oscilloscope, it'll become your 3rd eye.
> Learn C, but the more assembler skill you develop will make you a better coder at any level (personal bias). I build embedded systems all in assembler, for clarity of purpose and speed. I write C or Visual BASIC on projects based on PCs for a Far better user interface, when req'd. Hybrid is viable too: user intf on PC, uCtrlr on mech.
Lastly: be ready for frustration And elation, and when in one remember the other. Good Hunting... <<<)))