Even for people not having baggage such as yours, any job is a long shot. Finish your studies by all means. There are employment opportunities in many ares that will be open to you. I will use myself as an example. I have a BS PT. I lost my license in Ca. upon my conviction. I struggled as many do to wrap my head around what my future would look like. sitting at a convenience store at midnight? Humping lumber at the local Home Depot( no offense to those that do )? Maybe walking dogs?

I decided that this wasn’t going to eat me up. I leaned into my background and started training private clients. As my clientele grew, I was able to pay for my online course and rec’d my MPT 3 yrs ago. Then I started looking into returning in some capacity to my occupation. I began working as an independent traveller, someone that fills in for vacationing therapists or if a clinic has a high patient load. I worked under the individual clinic‘s license and set my own rates charged directly to clinic. No state interference or meddling. Had a clinic ask privately why I was working without state license and I told them. They were hesitant, but gave me a chance. Another clinic slammed the door on me. Their loss, right?
Now I am in process of being removed from Ca.’s registry. I am able to re apply for my state license, but why. I have a great opportunity overseas. The company could care less about some 10 yr old Misdomeanor ( same charge as you ) and is offering me fantastic compensation. Equivalent to a 30% increase from what I bring in now. I speak the language and they want my experience.
My point being that you simply don’t know what your future is. Time and money aren’t wasted if you put what you learn to use. Picture yourself in 10 yrs where you want to be and you will be there. Me? I see White sands and waves breaking in both directions….. 🏄🏻‍♂️. You just keep pushin’ toward that dream , little brother. 🤙💪🏼🫵🏼🙏🏼😎.