Stevenson addresses the youngster who has sought his advice on the choice of a profession It is not unusual for the youngsters to seek such advice. The choice of a profession is one of the “most momentous epochs in a young man’s life.” It is really an appreciable gesture on behalf of a young person to seek counsel. He says categorically that wisdom has nothing to do with the choice of a profession. The wise, in these circumstances, act upon no principle whatever. Usually the people give foolish ideas in this respect. Such people have ready made answers for career counseling. He says :

“The world being more or less beset with Anxious Enquirers of the Socratic persuasion, it is the object of a Liberal Education to equip people with a proper number of these answers by way of passport; so they can pass swimmingly to and fro on their affairs without the trouble of thinking. ”

The modem dilemma is that mostly people, in their hectic schedule, have no leisure to know where they are going. Stevenson gives the example of a banker who does not know why he has joined a banking profession. Now the overwhelming question is, “Is a man’s business his duty ? Or perhaps should not his duty be his business ?” The sorry state of affairs is that modem man is trapped by many institutions and organizations, such as educational institutions, marriage, office etc. “Man, turned loose into this roaring world, herded by robustious guardians…”

“Bethink yourself and bestir yourself as a man. This is the time…” recommends Stevenson to the youngsters. Money has its own importance. No young man can be at peace till he stands on his own feet. A choice is almost more of a negative than a positive. When a person chooses one profession, he has to reject a thousand. The youngsters must bear it in mind they cannot excel in other professions. The youngsters have to be very clear in their preferences. In his parting advice to the youth, he rightly says:

“Most men are happy, and most men dishonest. Their mind sinks to the proper level; their honour easily accepts the custom of the trade. I wish you may find degeneration no more painful than your neighbors, soon sink into apathy, and belong spared in a state of respectable somnambulism, from the grave to which we haste. ”

Thus, the essay focuses on the idea that the choice of a profession is a subjective matter. No one can or should guide anyone as to what he should become. Young people should know their preference and follow it.