Thinking about embracing Islam - questions about beliefs and practice

As-salamu alaykum. I was raised Ethiopian Orthodox, then drifted to atheism for a while and went through a very dark period - depression, disillusionment. I dabbled in pagan/hellenic spirituality after that, but it didn’t help. In desperation I turned back to God, and over time I felt spiritually renewed; many prayers and concerns were answered and something that had been missing felt fulfilled. I still don’t feel comfortable remaining Christian. There are aspects I struggle with - praying to saints, the Trinity, icons - that I felt were wrong. I looked into Judaism and found some things I agreed with, but I’m more inclined to the idea of Jesus as a prophet rather than divine, and I wanted a more open tradition. That led me to seriously consider Islam. From what I’ve read, I agree with its view of God, but I have some real questions and concerns: 1) Heaven, hell, and this life as a “test” - I’m not convinced the worldly life is just a trial with binary outcomes. I don’t personally see life that way; I’m closer to a view I found in Judaism. Does Islam require accepting heaven and hell and life as a test as core beliefs before conversion? Is there room to understand these concepts differently while still being within Islam? 2) Role of women, modesty, and hijab - I strongly believe men and women are equal in spiritual and mental capacity, and I’m ambitious and career-oriented. I worry about strict enforcement of gender roles: restrictions on male–female interactions, not shaking hands with men, or limits on public life would be hard for me. I’m not comfortable covering my hair with a hijab; I find that too restrictive, although I can commit to general modesty. Would these views prevent me from becoming Muslim, or are there ways to practice faith while holding these positions? I generally agree with Islamic teachings about God and would love to embrace Islam if these concerns can be reconciled. Any honest, practical answers or guidance would be much appreciated. JazakAllah khair.