You know the job-$$$ question is a big one no matter what your child majors in. Everyone has to find their own way to “make it work”. What is important to remember is there are about as many ways to “make it work” as there are students. I do think it is reasonable for parents to say they will fund undergrad, offer limited financial help post-graduation which might include some money for graduate school. But basically insisting the student figure out how to support themselves post graduation and if they want to continue with their education they will 1:Either need to take out loans or 2: Find Funding.
When my son first embarked on this journey to conservatory I looked at his teachers. The teachers he studied with at his high school, privately and at NEC Prep. What I saw were adults who were basically quite happy with their jobs and careers. I asked my son if he would be happy being one of those adults. He said yes. Now after graduating from conservatory our son tells us he would not be happy being one of those adults. He wants more. He looks to some of his mentors and professors for inspiration. Our son insists he wants to be an artist. That being said one of his friends who I always thought would be aiming for what our son is aiming for has decided to focus on teaching and education. He is quite happy and finding his way as an educator/musician. One of my son’s good friends/colleagues is now in graduate school for Law. Is he still composing? Absolutely but law is a good way to engage his mind in social issues he is concerned with and gives him material to use in his songwriting.
Our son supports himself with gigs. Does he want to do that as a career? NO absolutely not. But that is where he is now.
FYI this whole job-future focus is also not helpful. I have another son getting a PhD in applied mathematics. Given the nature of science the politics behind science he is not at all sure what the future holds. He has to focus instead on being in the present. When the time comes he might look for jobs in industry in addition to post-doctoral positions. He might do a post-doc and then go into industry or he might just see if a professorial job opens up. In today’s world one needs to be flexible and open because there is so much that is changing.