As high school and college graduation celebrations loom, exciting dreams of the future are diverse and plentiful. Expectations about the opportunity to succeed as a result of schoolwork, lessons, and problem solving can drive a subsequent lifetime of accomplishment.

In September 1971, a selection of enthusiastic individuals waited in a University of Missouri at Kansas City auditorium to learn more about their next four years on a collective journey toward becoming dentists. I happened to be one of those. The first to speak to the school’s newest dental students was the Assistant Dean. He began his comments this way: “We could teach monkeys to do what we will be teaching you to do during the next four years.”

I suspect most there felt as I did – deflated, insulted, less excited, less special. We had all worked, studied and dreamed of that day – only to be told we were no different than orangutans at the zoo. Whatever wind existed in the sails of 150 dentist wannabees earlier diminished considerably. Despite what felt like a less than warm welcome to our chosen profession, 149 of those present that day completed the challenge years later.

Every spring UMKC School of Dentistry holds its alumni meeting offering continuing education about numerous topics of interest to dentists. When this meeting took place in 1975, my dental classmates and I were excited about our pending graduation. As students were permitted at the time, we participated in the various presentations the meeting offered in a hotel near the school. At the end of the first day of lectures, I sat in the lobby of the hotel awaiting a handful of best friends and classmates to join up for dinner.

Across the lobby, in sauntered some elderly, gray-haired folks, all wearing dental meeting name tags. They couldn’t possibly have what we as new graduates had, I thought — the latest information about the best techniques, best materials, best equipment, best ways to provide the best dentistry. I felt sorry for them – those old codgers.

Two weeks ago, 50 years after our graduation, I found myself at the same alumni meeting once more, sitting in the same hotel lobby for the same reason — waiting for the same handful of classmates to join me for dinner. As I sat waiting, a half-dozen of what looked to me like teenagers entered the lobby wearing meeting name tags signifying their dental student status. I thought to myself, “Those kids have no idea what they are getting into. They don’t know anything about running a business, how to deal with people, manage finances, solve complicated problems, coordinate with other colleagues or handle things they’ve never seen before to provide top-notch care.” I felt sorry for the tenderfoot near-graduates.

It was the moment I suddenly realized this monkey had come full circle.

Fifty-four years ago, the Assistant Dean might have had purpose behind labeling our class no different than monkeys. Regardless of what hopes are held or line of work is pursued by a new high school or college graduate, whether in a career as an electrician, auto mechanic, rocket scientist, entrepreneur, brain surgeon or anything else, there is much more post-graduate learning required to become effective and successful in your chosen field.

A lifetime of lessons lies in front you. Choose not to boast of your knowledge, feel sorry for those who have previously traveled along your same path or others around you. Instead, engage and interact with your peers in whatever way you can. You might be surprised – and just might learn something helpful from those silver-haired apes monkeying around you. There is a very good chance they have important lessons and experiences that you don’t and would be willing to share some insight helpful toward your own journey of swinging through the trees.