All jobs/careers have risks. This Covid shutdown is worse than 9/11 was, but my company is already pulling planes out of storage. We aren't furloughing any pilots until at least May 1st next year.
I think requiring a college degree for this career is unnecessary. We have technical jobs, not general knowledge jobs.
Cargo flying isn't affected nearly as much. I don't know the restrictions on international flying, but the Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, etc. shipping is up overall.
We will be mostly recovered by next year. That's my guess anyway. If we do recover as an industry, the pilot shortage will start again in 2 or 3 years.