u/TheGabsterGabbie

Since I was about 16 I've hit autistic burnout every 3-6 months requiring me to take 1 to several weeks off to recover which really doesn't meld well with the vast majority of full time jobs. The vast majority of permanent jobs in my field are full time which I'm discovering is not sustainable for my mental well-being at all. However, I can sustainably work part time <30 hours a week.

I have a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology and the main focus of my knowledge is surrounding melittology (bees) and botany. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and do some physical labor. I want to go to grad school eventually, but the anti-science agenda of the current US administration directly led to the defunding of a grad program that I was going to start back in spring of 2025. I want to stay in the US so badly, but my own country is effectively making it more and more difficult for me to live in a way that preserves my sanity. On top of that I am very visibly a lesbian and have zero interest in changing how I present and move in the world, so homophobia is also a limiting factor.

I've seen that China has been bringing in a lot of American academics because of the defunding of American academia and their interest in expanding their academic research. Plus they have universal healthcare. Though I have seen the government is starting to become more homophobic again. I'm not sure what the work culture/academic culture is like over there, so if you have any insights into that please let me know.

Anyway I saw a wha shirt in my local hot topic

I want the scissor grinder cicada (yes that is what the common name is 🤣) to look like a pinned specimen along with its scientific name and this quote from Naked in Manhattan by Chappelle Roan: "I wish you knew you were on my mind, constant like cicadas in the summer time". It would be my first tattoo and I want it to be anatomically accurate because I've seen too many insect tattoos with terribly inaccurate anatomy (especially bees).

2 years ago I graduated from college with a degree in Wildlife Biology. It was extremely difficult for me to complete and I almost had to drop out several times, but I did it. I've struggled extremely with my mental health since 2018. Originally I was diagnosed with Unspecified Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder and depression, but was then diagnosed with bipolar in college by my psychiatrist at the time.

Since I entered the workforce post graduation, at about 1-2 months in a job I hit severe burnout and my bipolar symptoms get worse and I end up being dismissed or take several weeks off before returning just for it to happen again.

In April I started a new job as a state park ranger 1 in Washington State. I was already working for the parks a month prior for an internship, but I got moved up. A couple weeks ago I had my 6th concussion outside of work and now I'm hitting major burnout even with the time off.

I talked to my parents last night about what I should do and they said it might be a good idea to quit my job and apply for disability, since my issues cannot be fixed with reasonable accommodation (my dad has been working for the SSA for like 15 years now).

I don't know how to handle this situation or how to bring this up to my employer.

Advice?

The top of the page said if I didn't want to answer the questions I could answer N/A and it repeatedly said that answers will not affect hiring prospects, but I seriously doubt that. I try my best to not bring my political beliefs into a professional environment because I know some of my beliefs are quite controversial especially among this administration. I love America and I've always wanted to work a permanent job in public service to help people and our land.

I've worked a few state level seasonal jobs and I earnestly believe I am perfectly qualified for this specific position which has dozens of openings in different locations across the US. So, I would be extremely surprised if I didn't get at least an interview. However, it's been only 2 years since I graduated with my bachelor's, so this would be my first perm job if I get it, but I've been working in the environmental/agricultural career sector since I was 16.

What do you guys think?