I was charged with drug possession after my friend fled from police—could this ruin my career as an educator?

I am a 23 year old male, and I am in need of advice because I messed up bad.

Basically, a couple of my friends and I went out with a new coworker to a bar, and we were on our way home when we got pulled over. Our coworker (whom we didn't know until days before this incident) was driving and decided to run from the police, where they eventually stopped us and found stuff throughout his car.

I tried using google and a legal aid lawyer to figure out the situation, but I just got even more confused. We are all facing drug possession charges, and I don't know what to do because we were not even involved and barely know the guy who actually is responsible.

I am particularly worried about my criminal record and how it will affect my career as an educator at a school because I don't want to get not hired. I need advice on what to do and mainly if my criminal record is something to worry about.