With your experience in the academic music field, I think you know what it takes. And I think you know what their strengths and weaknesses are. I had only one teacher discourage me from going into music, because she was burned out. To this day, she still discourages me from continuing. I also was not a very string player going into college, but I decided that I would work myself, and my teacher brought me much further than even he thought I would go. Others are on the line, or even have talent, but once they get into it, decide that the discipline is not worth it. And then there's you, who despite getting several degrees in music, decides not to go into music after all. Fortunately, even if the student decides to go into music, it's not like it is a "set in stone" career choice or university major choice. Things can always change.
When students ask this question, what's the best way to handle it???