Macro Pathways LLC

Macro Pathfinders, we have an opportunity you will not want to miss!

Melissa Wojnaroski — social worker, former federal government staffer, and the person I point people to when they want to break into policy — just launched version 2.0 of her Social Work to Policy Impact Workshop, and right now you can get in for $127. On June 10, that price goes up to $197.

Use code MACROPATH35 at checkout for an additional 35% off!

This is the self-paced workshop we recommend for social workers who have been thinking about making a move into policy, research, advocacy, program management, or government relations. It is practical, it is built for working social workers, and it meets you right where you are.

Not ready to commit? Start with the free guide "7 Policy Job Titles That Hire Social Workers" and see where your skills already land.

Links in the comments!

Have you found Marco? Let us know, tag us with a pic!

Macro Pathways is officially an LLC!
A long time coming. A first step of many. The work continues.
More to come. 😊

Send a message to learn more

Check it out before it’s too late

Upcoming CE Opportunity: Policy & Ethics in Practice
Are you ready to dive into the impact of the 2026 Legislative Session? Join us for an essential face-to-face Continuing Education event at Southeastern Louisiana University!

Event Details
Topic: Policy Advocacy and Competence: A Review of the 2026 Legislative Session and Its Impact on Direct Practice
Presenter: Jessica Wilkes, LCSW
Date: May 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM (Registration begins at 8:30 AM)
Location: Southeastern Alumni Center | 500 University Ave, Hammond, LA 70401
CEUs: Approved by LABSWE for 3.0 Ethics hours
Fee: $30

Call for Sponsors!
Is your agency looking to connect with the social work community? We are looking for sponsors to help make this event a success! Partnering with us offers a fantastic opportunity to get your mission in front of dedicated professionals.
Sponsorship Benefits Include:
Tabling: Dedicated space to share information about your services.
Networking: Connect directly with local social workers and practitioners.
Marketing: Your agency logo featured on all event marketing materials.
Direct Access: An opportunity to speak briefly to the audience during the session.

Interested in attending or sponsoring? Register for either or both here! https://southeastern.nbsstore.net/policy-advocacy-and-competence-a-review-of-the-2026-legislative-session-and-its-impact-on-direct-practice
Questions: Email Jamie Magee @ [email protected]

Start your conference week with a powerful conversation you won’t want to miss!

Join us for Monday’s plenary session, Rooted in Values: Reclaiming Social Work’s Political Soul—a thought-provoking discussion on the role of social work in today’s political landscape and how our core values continue to shape meaningful change.

🗓 Monday, April 27
⏰ 9:00–10:30 AM EDT
🎓 Earn 1.5 General or Ethics CEUs

Featuring insights from Shannon R. Lane, Justin Hodge, and Lily Antonowicz, with moderation by Marla Blunt-Carter of Rutgers University.

This is your moment to reflect, engage, and reconnect with the foundation of our profession. See you there!

NASW Advocacy is Powered by Members Members power NASW advocacy that supports social workers and strengthens the profession.

AI is here—but are we using it ethically? 🤔

Join us for a timely and interactive webinar with Julie Incitti, MSW, APSW as we explore practical ethics in AI for school social workers.

📅 April 29, 2026
⏰ 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 9 AM PT
🔗Direct link to registration: https://members.sswaa.org/ap/Events/Register/lzFnwAOtjC5Cw
Registration closes 24 hours prior to event start (closes on 4/28 at 12pm EST)

Let’s learn how to use emerging tools responsibly while staying grounded in our values. 💙

If you’re early in your social work career and feeling like the path is harder than it should be, this put words to something I’ve been struggling to name.

One stat that really stuck with me: Black social work candidates fail the Clinical licensing exam at 3.4× the rate of white candidates.

ASWB’s own leadership has acknowledged this reflects structural racism, not lack of competence.

And still…the exam is treated as neutral and unavoidable.
That’s not the only gate, either. Early‑career folks feel these especially hard: Lived experience is praised, but can’t count toward academic credit:
-Field placements often rule out grassroots or peer‑led organizations
-You may have to pay just to present your own work
-And the MSW comes with one of the worst debt‑to‑income ratios of any master’s degree—especially for Black graduates

When you’re new to the field, it’s easy to internalize this as “maybe I’m just not doing enough.”

This article argues something different: these barriers aren’t random. They’re designed systems, a credentialing apparatus that shapes who gets access, legitimacy, and voice in social work.

Reading this felt grounding, honestly. Like confirmation that the frustration isn’t a personal failure.

👉 Here’s the full piece: https://themacrolens.com/2026/04/21/the-credentialing-apparatus/

Curious: which gate have you seen or experienced that does the most harm?

The Credentialing Apparatus: How Social Work Filters Out Lived Experience An analysis of the credentialing apparatus in social work, examining how licensure, accreditation, debt, and policy filter out lived experience knowledge.