I read your whole post. And I can feel your utmost disappointment, I am so very sorry as a career is so important for some people as it's part of their identity.
I keep saying to friends and support workers that because of my past I will never get a respectable job. I have broken the law but just minor things like vandalism. But because of my schizoaffective I've done some wacky, stupid things that I'm ashamed to the core of. One thing I did, with no rhyme or reason, when I worked at a supermarket was this: I rollerbladed through it ! I had a friend who was a skater and I had a spell of psychosis and went crazy. But enough about me.
I am sure you will find your way, you have ambition and determination. It's ashame that sometimes people won't take into our account our circumstances at the time, you were only trying to survive and be able to live and not just exist.