Mikka, you're just beginning this journey. Right now, it's probably best to focus on how you feel. How do you feel about people reading you as female? How do you feel about the image in the mirror when that image looks female? Compare those feelings to when you're presenting as male. That, I think, is the most honest and healthy way to guide your transition. And find a local support group if you can -- other transitioners are often the best at providing emotional and social support during this transitional time.
Like you said, this is going to take years, and it doesn't hurt to plan things out in advance, as best you can. Facial hair removal is best done as soon as possible. Also, don't forget to work on your voice! That can take several months to develop, so start practicing now. When it comes to surgeries, it's usually more cost-effective to have them done at the same time -- like, if you think you'll want facial surgery, that would be the time to get your adam's apple shaved down, too. But give the hormones time to do their work, at least a year (if not two) before turning to the knife.
As for coming out, be mindful. You don't have to do it all at once, and it's not like you're going full time immediately. You can pick and choose carefully, according to your best judgment. Some people will only be accepting if your physical presence is compelling. Others are full of love and will see the real spirit inside you -- I call these people spiritual masters, and though they are few they are certainly out there. And some people will reject you outright -- when we go down this road, we have to be prepared for all kinds of losses, but we can't be afraid, we have to stay true to ourselves. Also, and this one is hard, some will try to accept you, but they will fail, for the old memories in them are too strong.
Finally, delay coming out at work as long as possible -- you don't want to derail your transition because your source of funding it suddenly gets cut off. Rather than coming out at work, make yourself indispensable to your employer, that's the best guarantee of smoothing the whole process out.
Good luck!