Natives are driven out of other lands because they hear that opportunity lies in the Americas. American individuals will follow opportunity--but will they delay their preparation for Foreign Trade until they are driven to it? If they do, they may find that they are too late, or at least that the "stern chase" is a long one. The Dane, the Swiss, the German, the Scandinavian reared in the midst of Foreign Trade activities, with a working knowledge of languages may obtain the Foreign Trade opportunities in this country.

Civilization for generations has been becoming more and more complex; it is to continue to grow more complex. The individual must prepare himself; he must look farther ahead than ever before. You, whatever vocation you follow, must know more and more of matters relating to countries other than your own.

It is said that the Englishman in considering a position, first looks upon its permanency, next upon its pay and last upon the possibilities of promotion. I believe the American reverses this order. Without doubt, this has been a large factor in American development, but we are now entering International Trade and competition and if we do not meet that competition in a satisfactory way, as time goes on we will hold the little end. It is well for all of us to hitch our wagon to a star. But is it not wise for us to ascertain as nearly as possible that that star is attainable before we set out for it. Is it not wise for us to pick out a star within our reach rather than to set our hearts on something with the odds against us a thousand to one? One discouragement, even after striving for the unattainable is a defeat and several such defeats develop the feeling, "I have not made good". When this is reached, life holds little but hum-drum for the average man. On the other hand, when life is planned as a series of steps, the conquering of each step is a victory and the individual is led on, spurred and encouraged to conquer the next step. If a series of steps is left out of your scheme; if a short out is taken, you are gambling with your future. A few take the short cuts and seemingly get away with it--but I believe that if one could really see the inside, they would find a lacking which cannot then be filled.

Early Foundation Necessary

What you are to be, you are now becoming. During the years before you are thirty or thirty-five, you should be laying your foundation. Then and then alone may you be expected to reap abundantly. Exceptions are constantly arising, but to gamble upon the fact that you are an exception is more serious than risking your last dollar on a hopeless chance.

The Germans trained long and intently for foreign trade. Germans left the fatherland and went to all corners of the world, married natives, carried Germany with them and became a factor in the commerce of that country and of Germany. The British serve long apprenticeship at salaries that would not be attractive to us but they have carried British Trade to all parts of the world. After an apprenticeship in a Canadian Bank of some seven or eight years, a man is eligible for assignment as manager to a branch bank at a salary of about $8000 a year. Unattractive? Financially, yes, if you place against that the $10,000 a year you may expect to make selling, say shoe-strings. But are you sure that you are one of the men who is to make $10,000? A comparatively few men earn that amount. Suppose you sell shoe-strings, what is your world -- shoe-strings -- what do you know -- shoe-strings? On the other hand, in Foreign Trade work, your world is the World and its people. With your foundation properly laid you develop step by step until you are able to command $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, not because there is a demand for "shoe-strings" but because you have made yourself worth that amount.

If you are the right kind of man for Foreign Trade work, I advise you to begin to lay your foundation. Make yourself an International American and opportunity will not fail to knock at your door