Speaking as an airline Captain with a son about to start his aeronautical engineering degree, I have told him that he should concentrate on getting his degree with a career and not consider a career as a pilot.
The industry has been screwed by unscrupulous airlines and their accountants who view pilots as a legitimate source of revenue - just as passengers are. It will never be the same.
Forget the dreams. They are unachievebale in the current climate. And if you do get there - the job will have no reward with the pressures of debt and uncertainty. The glamour of airline flying has gone forever.