FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego , CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Read or have someone get you a copy of the Americans with Disability Act.

Donna Shrout ⋅ San Francisco , CA ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Derek, The OVR Office of Vocational Rehabilitation may be a good place for you to start. They work with people with disabilities to help guide them in their job search. You have marketable skills. They can help with how best to present yourself to potential employers. They can also help find job openings.

A key thing to remember is that you do not need to disclose your disability to a potential employer. You are a former serviceman with a key technical skill. That is who you should present.

I wish you all the best. Schizophrenia can be difficult for people to understand. However, now that you have been diagnosed and are getting treatment, things should improve greatly.

Amit Chaudhary ⋅ San Jose , CA Doordash, Silicon Valley Software Company ⋅ 20 years experience

You will have to look at it from a new angle, some roles like deep team dealing might be harder to succeed at, others with flexibility will have more potential.
After talking to the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/ explore everything including studying for new role.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward , CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Derek,

I agree with Donna, I know services are different in different states, and have different names, do start with your state Department of Rehabilitation; with a diagnoses they will help you to find jobs and coach you through the process.

Best,