It might help to start by ranking your interests within the hobby, even if they still sound a bit basic. From "I want to recognize the north star" to "I want to take a really huge, detailed photo of the moon" to "I want to explore astronomy software and learn the hobby from the inside out by reading help files."
If you get a good list going, you can rank the list items by interest level, which is another way of weighting your entrance into the hobby by making sure your most-available energy is used to break into it, and that's generally a good idea for momentum as a beginner.
If you keep it generally subjectively-focused like that, it's also really easy to make new discoveries, because you're finding and learning about the yet-unknown...to you.
For gear, I find that I personally like to make sure I weight all my gear choices on the side of photography, because I really enjoy that aspect. It may be different for you.
Software-wise I like Stellarium for my hobby use. It even has a script that will take you on a tour of interesting items you can see through binoculars.
Here's another good starting resource:
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/
Finally since we're on a tech site: You can learn a lot about space just by reviewing status screens and tech specs. Keep an eye on what NASA's doing, what missions are being run, and what kind of resources it takes.
Good luck & enjoy the hobby.
What kind of things can you look for? Most classes of objects large telescopes can show, but you'll see them very differently and sometimes struggle to locate or identify them. That's why it's better to learn a bit of astronomy before thinking about gear.
Is it possible for amateur astronomers to find things that the pros haven’t already found? Absolutely, but it takes considerable experience with astronomy and observing techniques.
My advice: just start anywhere (e.g. from books if you're a text person). Nothing will make sense in the beginning but, eventually, things will start to fall into place.
There are loads of in-person astronomy clubs, for example there are three large-ish ones near me(Cambridge, UK). Many of them offer open nights to introduce newcomers, and they tend to be quite welcoming¹. The open nights are a great way to get a taste for equipment too, as you can play with all the toys the regulars take along.
I don't attend my local club, but the mailing list they run is an absolute treasure. Being local they'll often be on top of news for local starwatch nights, offer advice about dark sky locations, have used equipment for sale, etc.
Other than that I agree with pamoroso, just dive in and have fun.
¹ With the caveat that some of the people can be kind of quirky, and some can simply be snobby equipment collectors.
If you live in the US, you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding dark skies. Dark skies are the most important ingredient :).
Good luck, and clear skies to you.
I'd also recommend looking for an astronomy club near you