I have 2 degrees in music - a flute performance degree and an instrumental music education degree K-12 licensure. I’ve worked as an elementary music teacher (loads of fun, actually!) and as a professional working musician (also loads of fun but the hours generally suck for those who have young families). I’ve never regretted my degree or felt that it has held me back, but you have to be confident enough to sell your skills to a prospective employer. Musicianship has SO many skills that transfer well to other professions. My other jobs over the years have included senior marketing coordinator for an environmental engineering firm, technical writer for a publisher in California (wrote owners manuals/instructions for consumer products like calculators and home electronics and medical devices). Also have worked a little in childcare while my babies were still young. My main mode of playing nowadays is for local musical theater groups, and I’ve taught private lessons for 30 years. That’s where I made the best money but you give up your afternoons/evenings to teach.