As a few others have alluded to, a lot of this career is timing.

She can end up with better luck (luck = preparation + opportunity) by hitting the various gates of this career as early as possible.

For example, Private at 17. Commercial at 18. Get instrument and instructor ratings along the way. Instead of going on spring break trips she should be building cross country time. Instead of taking flying lessons during college, she should be giving them to her classmates. Go to college year round, graduate early and put her best foot forward for one of the major airline pipeline programs while still keeping an ear open for other opportunities along the way (right seat gigs in college, regional airline job immediately upon graduation, etc)

Dig into the requirements for each phase of the career and always be working towards having the qualifications needed for the next step. For example, 1500 hours to fly for an airline (lower if mil or via aviation university)

If she really loves the idea of this career the satisfaction of doing the work will outweigh the suck factor (there is plenty at times).

Ultimately if she wants to be a major airline pilot the entire game is seniority. Being hired ASAP (the younger the better) is the name of the game. If she can put her nose down and crank out hours and good grades for the next 5-10 years she will be sitting in a really good spot.

Good luck to her, and make sure she knows she’s lucky to have a dad that’s helping her with funding and research - both of which are essential to getting a jump on the competition (her peers)