Employers are less likely to exaggerate than individuals. Use published salary surveys as a point of departure, not as the last word. The occupation isn't right for you if you can't afford to work at it. Get part-time or volunteer jobs at the entry level to verify your aptitude for the work and compatibility with your future coworkers and clients. Such positions amount to self-guided internships.
Internships are effective and respected methods of preparation for a new career.
Get projections of the number of future job vacancies vs. the number of graduates expected in the future from the Maryland Occupational Information Coordinating Council, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Ask librarians for other sources, so you can cross-check. Pro sports and music are not the only fields overpopulated with wannabes. Too much is at stake. The Resident Teacher Program of the Maryland Department of Education is designed as an alternate route into teaching for liberal arts graduates and career changers.