A unique aspect of the field of social work is how different social workers’ days can look despite having the same profession. Social workers can serve in vastly different areas of society, each of which requires distinct focuses and skillsets. Commonly, the field of social work is split into three categories based on the level at which a social worker interacts: micro-level social work, mezzo-level social work, and macro-level social work. Though social workers at each of these levels share the same core values and ethical standards, the job descriptions can look exceedingly different from each other. Let’s explore examples of micro, mezzo, and macro systems and see just how social workers belong and function in each.
Micro-Level Social Work
Simply put, a micro-level social worker serves individuals and families whether that is through case management or clinical services. Case management positions, typically requiring a bachelor of social work (BSW), can include assisting clients in securing housing, health care, employment, social services, or all the above. Case managers use their familiarity with the systems in their area to empower individuals and families to access services they need. One example of this kind of micro-level social work is medical social work where social workers partner with families to pinpoint a discharge plan for an individual who has been hospitalized.
Conversely, clinical social work positions, typically requiring a master of social work (MSW), provide direct intervention to individuals and families. Clinical social workers use evidence-based practices to treat and counsel clients whether that is in a school, a substance abuse rehabilitation program, an inpatient clinic, a private therapy practice, a domestic violence shelter, a correctional facility, the military, or elsewhere. These interventions target the emotional, mental, and behavioral problems faced by clients.
Though this skill is important through all levels of the industry, one social work skill that is exceptionally necessary for a micro-level social worker is empathy. Case managers and clinical social workers deal intimately with personal dilemmas in individuals’ lives and thus must do so with care and understanding rather than with preconceived notions and judgement. Additional necessary micro-level social work skills include critical thinking, active listening, the ability to establish rapport, and the ability to set appropriate boundaries.
Mezzo-Level Social Work
Zooming out from individuals and families, mezzo-level social work intervenes at group and community levels. Mezzo-level social work facilitates working relationships within a community to clear the way for change. One common role of a mezzo-level social worker is as a group facilitator. In this role, mezzo-level social workers foster support between individuals with similar experiences while also providing relevant education. Groups can serve diverse purposes. A mezzo-level social worker may run support groups such as those for grief, substance abuse recovery, coping with chronic illness, victims of crime, or individuals living with mental health diagnoses. Groups could also look more like classes. For example, a mezzo-level social worker could host a personal finance class for at-risk adolescents, a parenting skills class at a community center, an independent living skills class at a program for young adults with disabilities, or an anger management class for convicted offenders.
The other role for mezzo-level social workers is at the community level. In this role, mezzo-level social workers may create community programs, organize community activism, or manage community non-profit organizations. Some examples of community programs that mezzo-level social workers may work within include after-school programs that provide tutoring and supervision to at-risk elementary-aged students, community health programs that seek to make healthcare more accessible to community members, or shelters for victims of domestic violence that empower residents with skills for recovery, among others. Social workers who are engaged with community school boards or city councils are also working at the mezzo-level.
In conclusion, mezzo-level social work differs from micro-level social work in that, instead of working directly one-on-one with individuals and families, it aims to foster supportive relationships between individuals and their communities and creates the structure or resources needed to do so. Some skills that prove important for mezzo-level social workers include articulate communication, creative problem-solving, effective organization, and strong flexibility.
Macro-Level Social Work
Macro-level social work zooms all the way out to a “big picture” perspective. The focuses of macro-level social work are policy, advocacy, and research. Through engaging with the large systems of society, macro-level social workers foster changes that trickle down to impact the aforementioned communities, groups, families, and individuals. One example of macro-level social work is research coordination. Research in the field of social work can be investigative, aiming to define a social issue through determining the prevalence of the issue and specifying the population that is affected by the issue. An effective solution for a social problem cannot be created until that social problem is fully understood. Research can also determine the effectiveness of a social work intervention to ensure the profession remains evidence based. Interventions that are used in micro-level social work and mezzo-level social work are backed by the work of macro-level social workers coordinating research that shapes the profession.
Another aspect of macro-level social work is its interaction with policy. This interaction inherently ties macro-level social work to governmental proceedings. Macro-level social workers can analyze existing policy in order to identify problem areas and suggest changes that promote social justice, one of the core values of the social work profession. Macro-level social workers can also advocate for entirely new policy in the area they specialize in through organizing activist movements, drafting petitions, and participating in lobbying efforts. Additionally, macro-level social workers can create and direct large nonprofit organizations, using their foundation in social work to promote the dignity and worth of individuals through the funding, programs, and research provided by nonprofit organizations, even if they are not working directly with the individuals subsequently impacted by these efforts and opportunities.
Overall, macro-level social workers take a step back to look at how they can shape society on a large-scale that will increase the quality of life for all who fall under the umbrella of their work. Where micro-level social work assesses, identifies, and intervenes with an individual’s presenting problems, macro-level social work assesses, identifies, and intervenes with the larger society’s presenting problems. Some skills that are important for macro-level social workers include networking, persuasiveness, passion, innovation, and dedication.
No matter the level at which a social worker focuses their work, each area of the profession depends on the other levels. Rather than being separate entities, micro-level, mezzo-level, and macro-level social work are moving systems that interact with each other at many points throughout the framework of the social work profession.
Even though a micro-level social worker managing a caseload of immigrants who are seeking employment and affordable housing may never directly work with a macro-level social worker serving as a consultant for nation-wide immigration policy reform, their work is interconnected. Not only will any impact this macro-level social worker makes directly affect the lives of the clients of this micro-level social worker, but also the individual experiences of the clients of this micro-level social worker will inform the macro-level social worker on the changes that need to be made. The work in which macro-level social workers take part, affects the lives of communities, groups, families, and individuals. On the other side of the coin, the experiences of individuals, families, groups, and communities are what inform the big picture of the large-scale changes needed. No level of social work can exist independently from the others.
A future social worker need not commit to only micro-level social work, only mezzo-level social work, or only macro-level social work; it is rare that an individual social worker would exclusively engage at just one of these levels for the span of their career, or even the span of their day. For example, a school social worker may provide direct clinical counseling to a student experiencing anxiety; this is micro-level social work. In the same day, that school social worker may develop a socioemotional learning curriculum to be implemented in classrooms at the school; this is mezzo-level social work. Finally, that same school social worker may meet with state legislators to advocate for a policy that would benefit the students at their school; this is macro-level social work.
Another illustration is a criminal justice social worker who may provide evidence-based interventions to incarcerated adolescents with mental health diagnoses; this is micro-level social work. That same criminal justice social worker may also facilitate a substance abuse recovery group for incarcerated adolescents suffering from addiction; this is mezzo-level social work. Additionally, this criminal justice social worker may be working to research a new intervention process through writing grants and developing a research proposal; this is macro-level social work.
To emphasize this interconnectedness further, a hospital social worker may provide direct counseling to an individual who received a life-altering diagnosis; this is micro-level social work. This hospital social worker may also facilitate a support group for caregivers of those with terminal illnesses; this is mezzo-level social work. Finally, this hospital social worker may advocate for increased funding for programs at their facility; this is macro-level social work.
While micro-level social work, mezzo-level social work, and macro-level social work are each unique, they are inherently interconnected and inseparable, working together to create the field of social work as a whole. The field of social work relies on social workers in each area, working together to collectively bring necessary change to the lives of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society. Each level requires specialized skillsets that can help determine a future social worker’s ability to find and thrive within their optimal position within the profession, despite the added element that each social worker will engage to some extent at all three levels of the profession.
For more on Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work, check out contributor Anna Shull’s YouTube video exploring different levels of social work, sponsored by SocialWorkDegrees.org.
