At its core, social work training prepares us to see the bigger picture.

For example, when you assess a client’s environment, family dynamics, access to resources, and systemic barriers, you’re engaging in systems thinking. You’re asking, What’s influencing this situation? How does this connect to other people, systems, or conditions?

In contrast, when you take that insight and work to redesign the system itself—whether through policy, program improvements, or advocacy—you’re engaging in systems change.

This month’s Ask Nicole highlights how micro social workers already to think in systems, and how those insights can guide their path from casework to systems change.