I switched to industrial R&D over 50 years ago and found good work appreciated, even head hunted. I didn't find that political or social views different from others caused me a problem and learned a lot in generally friendly gossips. Slightly off topic I remember school in the 1940s and 1950s where sometimes we were naughty but very much kept in order, now I read about schools with serious disruption and crime, teachers overwhelmed by procedures and rules. It seems to me this and your experiences are symptoms of a failing society.
I switched to industrial R&D over 50 years ago and found good work appreciated, even head hunted. I didn't find that political or social views different from others caused me a problem and learned a lot in generally friendly gossips. Slightly off topic I remember school in the 1940s and 1950s where sometimes we were naughty but very much kept in order, now I read about schools with serious disruption and crime, teachers overwhelmed by procedures and rules. It seems to me this and your experiences are symptoms of a failing society.