A Good Time to Chase a Passion

After working 20 years in the marketing/public relations profession, Nada Dorman, M.S.W. ‘23, returned to school to facilitate a career change. Even though her first career was full of exciting jobs like working with Netflix, Dorman was drawn to a path where she could support and inspire others more directly. 

“I’ve always had a helper spirit,” Dorman said. “I studied communications, pursued a master’s degree and had an exciting and successful career in marketing and PR, but it just wasn’t fulfilling. So at 40, my kids weren’t babies anymore, they were in elementary school, and I decided it was my turn to go to school too.”

Dorman applied to Baylor’s online Master of Social Work in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Through this program, Dorman had two internships that shaped and honed her skills. Her first was with Jewish Family Services, where she creatively sought a solution to address a hundred-people-long client list with an average one-year wait time to see a therapist. She contacted everyone on the list and asked them to join an anxiety support group — this was a common factor for those on the waiting list — and her group therapy began. Her second internship was with Any Baby Can, an agency that strengthens families so that children succeed. She worked primarily with teen and young postpartum moms struggling with anxiety and depression. 

Dorman graduated from the MSW online program in December 2023 and is currently working as a school social worker with the Austin Independent School District. 

“The needs in our community are so vast, from basic hygiene to trauma repair. I focus on being there, in school, helping kids and their families and finding them support.” 

Dorman uses her social work degree to advocate for the marginalized. Although she currently works in a school, she regularly shows up at the Capitol to lobby for laws and policies that empower those that have been left out. 

As the recipient of the MSW Alicia Martinez Spirit of Social Work Award given by Baylor's Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Dorman is an example for anyone hoping to pursue a passion or change careers in response to a sense of calling.

“I’m so humbled. I used to think these awards were for the residential students, not the online campus and certainly not for those in the 40-plus category!”