Annnnd I'm now not sure if I should go through with the consular interview, since prior unauthorized work is grounds for inadmissibility if you're not applying with an immediate relative (dad is petitioning me and I'm over 21 at the time of application).... Getting very anxious about this, and may just try to adjust status via I-130/I-485 through my USC partner. Seems those are taking around 12 months, which is not bad, but then also pretty much guaranteed to work, and you don't have to leave the country (I think).