What counts as relevant experience?

[LittleLionMan]

Like others, I'm trying to build a strong application without limiting my options for different graduate degrees. This means my experience is either "unfocused" or "well-rounded", depending on how hopeful I'm feeling

So what counts as relevant experience? Am I limited only by the extent to which I can put a spin on things? Or would adcomms immediately call bullshit?

Example: I've worked in the university residence system for several years in various student support/inclusive community building roles. If I'm applying for public health, can I claim this as experience with "mental health programming"?

Thanks!

[mpheels]

One of the great things about public health is how broad the fields can be. I wouldn't call your experience in the residence system mental health programming, but you could definitely write about it in your personal statement. As far as your resume/CV, I prefer to be straightforward and list relevant details honestly. When you write your statement, you can go into more detail about the programming you worked, and explain how that relates to public health (as you see it). Embellishing the description of a job is bullshit. Making connections from your experience in one field to another is a sign of analytic and reasoning skills. I also think public health is a field where jack of all trades types do well - In my job I have to be able to meet with department heads and discuss funding, but also have to be able to assemble the new book shelf.