For some context I'm 23 and always had a passion for history. Ive had many jobs and only last year decided to go to uni to study history. I would like to focus on modern history but really enjoy the Roman Empire as well.
Sidenote: I also have autism and have had discrimination in the workplace in past jobs, will this limit or restrict my ability to work as a historian in any way?
Depends on what sort of history work you want to do.
Some background on myself: got my BA in history, and have a masters in business administration.
Most of what is most obviously a "history job" (museums, professorial roles and the like) are extremely sought after, to the point where museums have partnered with some universities to create "museum studies" type degrees to run the place. Because these jobs are so highly sought after they are incredibly difficult to get into, and usually the jobs open up because someone is retiring or moving up to take the role of a retiree.
As for your last question, my own myopic view is that even though we'd love to sit here saying that historians and academic jobs are above discrimination of any kind, it simply isn't true..... However, one thing I've learned through the study of history is that you have a view that matters.
Context: I'm a 23/Chilean/Waiting to schedule my thesis defense to have my BA in History (damn Covid)
Look, for sure you will find discrimination in some places but one of my teachers at the university was in the spectrum. Got his BA in the same uni here in Santiago but ended up getting his MA and PhD in Europe (Germany), a typical and normal route for a latinamerican academic. I mean, this guy is at least 45 yo and for sure might had been discriminated in his life as a historian (Mental health of any kind began to be a serious topic in the latest half-decade), yet there he is, part of the ranks of the best public university in my country, making researchs on History of Science!
With this I'm trying to say that even if you are discriminated if you follow this path of career, you can find ways to keep going on, to escalate and be recognized as a cool historian and have positions. But beware that its highly competitive!
I will echo the other commenters and say history is not perfect when it comes to discrimination. I just finished my MA in ancient history, specifically the Roman Empire. One of the archaeology PhDs had to have a pretty frank conversation with his professor, because he has quite a significant speech impediment and quite poor interpersonal skills. She basically had to tell him that he is very unlikely to be hired as a university level teacher in any capacity with his speech impediment, because it would be very difficult for him to keep students engaged with the subject matter. So be honest with yourself and consider whether being an academic is a viable path with your autism. As the other guy said, maybe it won't be a problem.
Starting studying history at 23 is not a huge problem, but you're potentially five years behind those who started university at 18, so you're going to want to be as efficient as possible. Take the right load of classes and finish on time. Try to figure out the topic you want to go deeper into and talk to the professors in that field and find out what advice they have and what other things you can be doing, ie. what languages you should know.
What are the other jobs you've held? The most important skills are probably classroom teaching, one-on-one teaching (ie. tutoring), research skills (ever been a research assistant?), long-term project management, and then general skills like time management, note-taking, classroom participation, writing and grammar, and languages.
Let me know if you have more questions