Work Advice: Making the best of a good first job

Q: After graduating at 24 from a master's program in public health, I landed my first job this summer as an epidemiologist at a world-class public health institute. However, I feel like I'm not being valued as a team member and am not learning any new skills or growing professionally. I've made several mistakes recently, and now my supervisor is giving most of the work that needs to be done to an intern, leaving me with virtually nothing to do all day. I feel like the job is below my skill level, and overall my job satisfaction is low. When is the right time to start looking for a new job? This is my first real job, and I am hesitant to stay less than one year, but really can't see myself staying that long.

A: You've landed your first job out of school:

• in your field.

• at a prestigious institution.

• in the worst job market in decades.

To many of your peers, this probably sounds like complaining that the pony you got for Christmas doesn't fit the saddle you've picked out.

But your "I went to school for this?" frustration is common. School offers enriching challenges with predictable rewards and milestones. For many, graduating into the workplace is like stepping off a moving walkway: The transition is jarring, and it takes twice as much effort to make half as much progress.

It's not that your co-workers don't value you, but it's hard to make time for a new team member while handling more urgent projects (dealing with epidemics, perhaps). Try actively seeking ways to support them that don't create more work for them. Ask to shadow colleagues at meetings. Offer help where you see a need, even if it's clerical gruntwork. Ask your supervisor for guidance -- less "I'm booooooored" than "If you know of some project teams that could use extra support, I have capacity right now."

For professional development, design your own career curriculum. Make yourself an expert on a specialized topic through reading and research. See if HR offers professional development programs to fill your extra hours.

If you're making mistakes, the job may not be as far below your skill level as you think. Or maybe boredom and low morale have made you careless about any task not related to your goals. But those tasks are going to be part of any job, especially before you've gained experience and built a reputation. Being willing to pitch in on the little stuff -- and doing it right -- is what persuades people to trust you with the big stuff.

Unless your current situation is personally or financially unsustainable, give it a solid year of focused effort. You won't see where your current path could lead if you're too busy scouting around for a faster track.

• Miller has written for and edited tax publications for 16 years, most recently for the accounting firm KPMG's Washington National Tax office. You can find her on Twitter, @KarlaAtWork.