New to CSGO, couple questions

Just started playing CS:GO, played source and the original CS so I'm familiar with basics, just had a couple of questions:

1- Is there an effort made in balancing weapons? I'm aware of the "holy trinity" where everyone (or mostly) uses AK47/M4/AWP and I'm wondering if it's always like that or if guns get modified here and there and if there's a "meta" so to speak in terms of gun use. I like to use the SSG553, but I gather that's infrequently used and I've been called an SSG noob even with a positive K:D ratio with it. Should I just abandon guns I like (SSG/Shotguns/etc) and use the trinity?

2- AWP seems to be just straight up not fun (edit for clarification: to die to). I say this as a new player, I know, and yeah "git gud" but does this get better as familiarity with the game goes up and I expose myself less to waiting AWP users? In a casual game it always seems like there's half the team AWPing and it feels like a real shit way to die.

3- How does competitive start out once I get R3? Am I gonna get bitched at for not being pro level right away?

Thanks ahead of time. Game seems to have a big following and active pro-scene, which can only be good things

Edit: I appreciate all of the responses, thanks everyone, reddit came through.