Your newest employee, Haylee, is fresh out of college and super eager to make a name at your company—she said so half a dozen times during her interview. She’s a real go-getter, good at her job, and always asking to take on more. You’ve given her special projects and challenges when you’ve been able. But the thing is, right now there isn’t anything else to offer except Haylee’s regular duties. In an entry-level position, those duties may not be all that exciting for a young and eager mind. So how can you give Haylee a gentle reality check without sending her talent packing?

For starters, check in on Haylee during a sit-down. Ask her how she’s doing and how the job is meeting her expectations. Best-case scenario, she’ll share her feelings and you can address them head on. If she doesn’t, try coaxing them out with something like, “I get the impression you’d like to take on more.” Then be honest that this job doesn’t always have more to take on and success will mean excelling at the daily grind. If you were up-front during the interview process about the nature of the work, then Haylee should be brought back to a realistic expectation of her duties. Now is also a good time to remind Haylee that this job is not meant to fulfill her throughout her career; it is a pass-through for most people: a stepping stone to perform well, gain experience, and move on to the next level.

If Haylee is talented and on track to move up, then tell her so! Also assure her that a lack of “more” in no way reflects her talent or long-term potential. It’s important to keep that end game in sight because you don’t want to lose a talented employee to the banality of entry level. With that in mind, is there something else you could offer her? Could you send her to a class or conference, devise coaching or mentoring opportunities, or recommend a role on the picnic or recycling committees? Even small, but different, tasks can provide something to shoot for.

It’s easy for young and eager talents like Haylee to feel trapped in a day-to-day cycle of tedium. By showing your support and reminding her of the light at the end of the tunnel, you’ll push her through the predictable until she’s ready to take the next step!