When the world of DIY hobby electronics projects is new to you, it can seem intimidating to get started. There are so many different opinions out there on this topic. Should you start with simple transistor circuits, lights, switches? Should you use preassembled Kits to keep the possibility for error low? Do you need to research on circuit theory before you can start anything? And when should you combine coding and electronics with your first microcontroller project?
And while I don’t have the one and only right answer here, I want to share what worked for me. I got myself a simple Arduino Starter Kit like the ones shown below. And while this is a steep investment for starting a new hobby, I have never regretted opting for the big one! (sadly this is not sponsored, ELEGOO just happens to be the brand I bought my set from)
The great advantage of these kits is the variety of different peripherals and the resulting possibilities for combining them into ever-changing new projects! And especially with the Ultimate set featuring an RFID-Reader and IR-Motion-Sensor, your DIY Home Security system is just a few jumper connections and lines of code away. Or you build a digital ruler with the ultrasound distance sensor and the LCD-Display. You can even add remote control to your projects using the IR-Remote and the best thing is that all modules are introduced with step-by-step instructions, so you can get to know all the ins and outs before combining them into your desired solution.
And while these projects do not directly correspond to the professional work you might end up doing later on in your career, the concepts and standards you will make yourself familiar with are still industry relevant today!
And once you feel at home with the basics, there is nothing stopping you from going further! Found a cool new IC that you want to use in your projects? Just build your own module around it! Want to control bigger devices? Just add some high power relays or power Semiconductors and you are ready to go! Want to add Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to your Projects? Buy a cheap ESP32 Module and expand your microcontroller knowledge! The possibilities are truly endless!