Gonna veer off topic a bit riffing on Alcove’s point.
Both my parents were in the business - at least to a degree - so I
never was pressured to have something to fall back on. All my
friends were. So I never did anything but entertainment.
While I struggled without a “back up” several of my high school
friends were doing good enough because they had that back up
degree and job. What I saw over the years were my friends enjoying
the steady paycheck and filmmaking staying as a hobby. I didn’t
have that; I worked in my field or I starved.
For me - and not for everyone - I’m glad I didn’t have anything to
fall back on. I know I would have. Today I do not make my living
as a director and only part of my living as a writer, but I do
make 100% of living in the entertainment business. My “fall back”
job is pyrotechnics, camera operator and live theater.
I’m not suggesting that’s a good plan for most people. Getting a
degree in something that you can use as a back up just in case, is
a very good plan.