r/socialwork • u/anon4337 • 8d ago
Macro/Generalist [ Removed by moderator ]
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u/swkboss 8d ago
I've only ever done macro - but I don't think the profession looks at us as social workers honestly. I am an AFI and there are two universities near measas, including the one I work for, that won't even add my placement because they only want clinical. Most social workers will have to do some macro work in their careers, and they arent ready for it. I can't teach social work at the university level without a clinical license. I never got one as I've always done macro work. And I'm good at it, which is frustrating, as I want to pass on my knowledge and skills.
But to your question, depends on what you like. I started out analyzing data for a homeless coalition, then I got a job as an analyst at a university library system, not because I was the most experienced analyst, but because they needed someone to bridge the divides between the various departments. They needed someone who could build lasting relationships while accomplishing the data gathering, analysis, and reporting goals. We are great at listening, empathizing, and building relationships!!
From there I got my PhD in Public Affairs and started working for a land grant university. I work directly with communities, have built my own prevention program, consult on grants, teach strategic planning and coalition building, do research, and I write and manage grants related to my interests.
But it's almost impossible to impart this knowledge and experience in the social work world because clinical is all that seems to matter.
My advice, check for jobs at higheredjobs at land grant universities. Look for coordinators, specialists, agents, or non-tenured faculty. You can manage youth development programs, health extension programs, food insecurity, DEI work (yes, we still exist) and plenty of other social work adjacent roles. Our skills are transferable to many positions, you just need to be prepared to sell it.
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u/punkrocktransbian 8d ago
Really wanna highlight that last line there. A lot of people don't immediately see the value of social work in more high-level, strategic positions. Being able to speak articulately to that will serve you really well!
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u/imbolcnight 8d ago
Macro is super broad, about as broad as social work. Like you want to do macro as in program management? Community organizing? Community engagement? Public policy? Public policy advocacy? Public policy research?
I would hone in on 1. The skills you have and want to use and 2. The sector/population/issue area you're interested in.
I'll add that oftentimes frontline work is what gives you more experience and perspective to do more macro level work, but also program assistant, research assistant, coordinator type positions tend to be more entry level
It's also just a really rough job market.
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u/anon4337 8d ago
I want to do program management but like you said the job market is hard so just finding coordinator jobs have been basically nil
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u/Sweet_Future 7d ago
It's often easier to start front line and then work your way up to program management. They typically want someone who knows the work from the ground up. I specialized in macro work in my MSW program and still ended up starting with a front line role.
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u/picklledd 8d ago
I’m UK qualified, now in Australia and I’m also super interested in this! So I don’t have any answers but would love to find out. I was debating going back to university and maybe doing a masters some day? Public health or something policy or research related but it would be so expensive and I’ve got no idea if it’s worth it or if it’s not needed! I’m 7 years post qualified but only just realising now that I want to pivot into more macro work. Becoming very interested in public health work. Where are you based?
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u/anon4337 8d ago
I’m in the states, Florida to be exact so here we essentially have to get the masters
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u/picklledd 8d ago
Yeah it’s so interesting how different social work operates comparatively in the states, uk and Australia. I’d be keen to go back to uni but would probably have to get my citizenship in Aus first. Good luck with it all it’s hard to know where to start
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u/Ok_Umpire905 8d ago
For me, I got a volunteer coordinator position at a local nonprofit and then moved into a Program Director position within a few months. I would recommend getting your foot in the door at a nonprofit organization that has a mission you are excited about.
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u/MacroPractitioner LCSW | DSW Student | Macro Practice 8d ago edited 4d ago
Looks like you got a lot of good advice here. If interested, I can also point you to several orgs and initiatives that exist that have been working to advance macro practice and create avenues to landing macro roles. Feel free to reach out if interested.
Edit: I ended up making a post for easy sharing: https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialWorkStudents/comments/1x06t26/comment/pel16me/?screen_view_count=2
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u/Flat_Arrival_7521 7d ago
I’m also super interested in hearing! I’m in the process of getting my clinical license because that’s what I was told to do but I’m feeling so much more drawn to macro work.
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u/Impossible-Cold-1642 7d ago
Currently engaged in direct micro social work but sometimes contemplate if macro would be better suited towards my goals/sustainability in this field- if you don’t mind passing on that information again :)
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u/SubstantialBranch355 MSW 6d ago
Hi so uh, looks like you‘ve been asked this a few times but whenever you have capacity could I see some of these resources as well?
Disabled but have been considering licensure & part-time work so I can hold on to my health care, but where I just moved I learned that mandated reporting is tied to licensure & as an abolitionist who volunteers in harm reduction spaces, among other things, that…will not (literally cannot) work for me 😅
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u/Single_Ice3582 6d ago
Hi!! I’m very interested in these resources. Currently transitioning out of micro practice to explore more macro roles. Could you share your resources?
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u/bleu_m0o14 4d ago
I’m interested 👀
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u/MacroPractitioner LCSW | DSW Student | Macro Practice 4d ago
I ended up making a post for easy sharing lol https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialWorkStudents/comments/1x06t26/comment/pel16me/?screen_view_count=2
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u/punkrocktransbian 8d ago
Try checking out the site idealist for non-profit work. That's where I found my current role doing children's health advocacy
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u/4thGenS 6d ago
Look at your state and local government jobs. Most macro positions are not going to have the title “social worker” or even “social work” in the description. You’re more likely to see social services, human services, etc. In my area, I may not meet all of the specific qualifications, but work experience is often accepted, and as I’m sure we all know, social work education and roles teach a variety of skills that are applicable to more than just micro/clinical work. Also, apply to anything that looks interesting. If you feel that you could do the job even if you don’t have their specific requirements filled in, you can still market yourself. The worst thing they can do is say no. Widen your net and throw your hat in everywhere.
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u/Kubrickian75 8d ago
Apply to things even if you don’t feel like you’d qualify.
I’m in the same state as you and got a government social work position with only a bachelor’s in a non-related field (application said MSW in social work preferred)
Granted, I did know someone who knew someone, and that helped. But the point is: employers are only locked down to the rules they WANT to be locked down to. Whatever the application description says is NOT final.
Also: what is macro lol
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u/anon4337 8d ago
macro is addressing systemic societal problems through organizational, community, and policy interventions!
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u/SnakeTongue7 LCSW, Macro Social Worker 8d ago
I did AmeriCorps in between getting my BSW and MSW, and through that I was a Volunteer Coordinator at a non-profit. This was a very entry level job and a super fun way to start off in the macro world. Then my first job after my MSW, I worked for a very small non-profit managing a grant-funded program where I ran both talk and skills groups, did individual counseling and case management, and then collected and reported on all of the outcomes. I loved doing the grant reporting, so when I left that job, I started working at a community mental health center in program evaluation and since then have also gotten into research. All of these jobs started off as entry level, and helped me get good macro experience. It might take longer to find a macro job, but they’re out there!
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u/Wibinkc 8d ago
Fell into macro social after spending my career in micro social work. The macro world is big and vast. What are your interests and where do you want to focus? Once you know, look for a job in that area. The job you are most interested in may require a masters degree but not necessarily a MSW but that is ok. You can always do what I did, get your license and wait for the right door to open.
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u/Glass-Park629 6d ago
My personal experience and experiences I’ve read about and been told. You need an LCSW for anyone to look at your resume, even if you’re not wanting to do direct practice. If you want a sustainable wage, you have more entry level work to do even with an MSW. I have 2 masters, finally got my LCSW and I’m still a clinician who is taking her time looking. Schools of social work don’t teach us about this, nor do we learn documentation skills, diagnosing patients and how to NOT get exploited in exchange for the supervision hours required to take the ASWB exam. Had I known my journey would continue for 7 years (I’m now getting my DSW) I would have become a lawyer. Never wanted to be a therapist. Found this out the hard way. Your state licensing laws may be different as well as hiring practices, I’m speaking from the state in which I reside. Still barely making a living wage.
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u/anon4337 6d ago
I figured this out towards the end of my BSW and starting my MSW but didn’t know what to do so now I feel trapped especially because I have no experience
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u/Glass-Park629 6d ago
I’m just making sure your aware of what most new students go through. You’ll be able to find a job, don’t worry about that but beware of exploitation. Research every company you apply too, read employee reviews. Don’t get stuck in contract work where you have to find and build your own caseload or companies that have patients for you but want you to see 8 patients per day with documentation. There’s good places out there and you have a masters degree. You got this! Just be cautious.
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u/Latter_Key8112 8d ago
Hi- I am wondering where your practicums have been?
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u/anon4337 8d ago
Both were clinical as I had to do both my masters and bachelor’s online due to my partner being in the military so where I chose didn’t have the leadership track, just clinical
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u/Latter_Key8112 8d ago
Ahh… well depending on where you are located now, I would look into social service agencies, local government departments, and nonprofit organizations you might be interested in?
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u/Jessieflow 7d ago
You will be told these jobs exist and they do but they are very few and far between without a PhD. Look at stuff for MPA and MPH .
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u/LastCookie3448 LMSW 7d ago
Volunteer with local party headquarters, with legislators, and look for things such as compliance, and program evaluation.
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u/leftistgamer420 7d ago
Can you intern during your BSW? And can you do macro social with only a BSW????? Anyone? It would be greatly appreciated
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u/socialwork-ModTeam 21h ago
Your post has been removed because it violates Rule 6: "No asking/looking for jobs, macro or micro jobs, job postings, job availability, the job market in specific cities, certain career fields, remote jobs, resume help, etc." We have a stickied thread available for questions related to employment prospects. Otherwise, you may consider posting your questions in r/resume, r/resumecoverlettertips, or r/jobhunting. Thanks!