Astralman-
From a very new to the comp circuit guy, I'll add my $.02.
I didn't go to a judging class prior to getting into comps. I read everything I could on the internet. I found rub recipes and tried them all. I cooked and cooked and cooked Q every chance I got. I went to a few comps and hung out with any team that would let me watch what they were doing. I pit-beyotched for a couple Brethren teams. I mentally catalogued all the info I could and finally decided to do a comp. For over a year I worked on rubs and sauces and cooked every chance I had to get timing down.
Last summer I did my first comp.
And I have to warn you, it was a farking blast!
I set realistic, but relatively low goals: Don't miss any turn-ins, and don't finish DAL in any category. I met those goals, so everything else, including two walks (pork and brisket), was a bonus.
All of the meat I cooked at the comp I cooked the same way I do them at home, using the same rubs and sauces that my family and I like.
Mind you, I'm the cautious type, and wasn't going to throw $$ away by not being prepared. You may have a different personality. Do what works for you.
However you decide to pursue it, you will not regret doing a comp.