UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 2, Page 3
September 9, 1993
Trading places; Job swapping can be revitalizing, positive experience

     A job swap can be a winning situation for everyone, according to 
Linda Natter, senior associate director of admissions, and Sharon Dorr,
admissions officer. The two women are looking forward to exchanging jobs
during the next year, and both say they feel the swap will broaden them
professionally and be of benefit to the admissions office.
     Although both work in the same area at the University, the two have
totally different responsibilities and work in different locations-Natter
in the Orchard Road annex and Dorr in Hullihen Hall.
     Dorr's primary job in the fall is recruiting students in two counties
in Pennsylvania, in Delaware's Sussex County and throughout all of New York
state, which, after New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has the most students at
Delaware. Dorr is on the road for eight weeks, visiting high schools and
participating in college fairs.
     She then reviews admission applications and interviews prospective
students. She also is involved in the admission process for international
students and in organizing Legacy Day for alumni and their college-aged
students in cooperation with the Office of Alumni and University Relations.
     Natter is primarily involved with New Student Orientation, which runs
for 21 days in the summer, culminating in a three-day session at the
beginning of the fall semester. She also has responsibility for admissions
office publications and special marketing projects, including articles in
outside publications and advertising. She also organizes the National
Student Exchange (NSE).
     When Dorr became pregnant (she is now the proud mother of baby
daughter Shelby), Natter got the idea of a job swap. "I thought it would be
good for me to be on the front lines of admissions by meeting high school
students in person and finding out their concerns. I also wanted to see
firsthand what other schools are doing in terms of recruitment, and this
seemed a good opportunity. I also felt that Sharon would benefit from an
exchange," Natter said.
     She approached Dorr with the idea, and discovered that she, too, was
interested in expanding her work experience. Also, remaining on campus this
year would allow Dorr to be closer to her new daughter.
     After several discussions, the two ran their proposal past Liane
Sorenson, director of the Office of Women's Affairs and the Career
Development Resource Center. She made suggestions, and the next step was to
discuss the idea with Bruce Walker, associate provost of admissions and
financial aid, and Carl Anderson, deputy director of admissions. "Halfway
through our presentation, Bruce said, 'You don't have to convince us; it's
a fine idea.' Both he and Carl were very supportive," Natter recalled.
     Employee Relations then entered the picture, and the two women worked
out the details of their job swap with Jim Flynn, director of Employee
Services. "We had to write down everything we do, which gave us a fresh
look at our own jobs, and a contract was drawn up for a year's job
exchange, which we both signed," Dorr said.
     As Natter heads off to Downingtown High School and Dorr welcomes
National Student Exchange students to Delaware this month, the two are
excited about the prospects of their new duties.
     "I think learning new skills, getting new ideas, getting a different
perspective will benefit both of us and admissions," Dorr said.
     Natter agreed, adding that being out in the field would be a
rejuvenating experience.
     Her final bit of advice to others who might be thinking of a job
switch is to go with it and talk about the idea with others, no matter how
farfetched it might seem.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure