#
Editor’s Note
Both the world of finance and the market trend change quickly. In this season that witnesses the start of youth, by showcasing these young people’s vivid stories in Dishui Lake Advanced Finance Institute (DAFI) located by the Dishui Lake, we hope to record how they lay a solid foundation with their professionalism and forge ahead relentlessly on their journey toward the future with their belief. Some of them overcome obstacles in data modeling, some explore in the field, and others practice in the changing financial market. Although their stories are different, they share the same value: proactivity, perseverance, and the integration of knowledge and action.
Today, we turn our attention to LU Jiarui, a young graduate who studied finance but chose to "swim against the tide" and join a real economy-based enterprise. He describes his job hunting journey as a rational, reverse adjustment, allowing him to find his own rhythm and direction amid the tides of the times.
LU Jiarui is a graduate of the 2023 full-time Master of Finance (MF) (Financial Analyst Track) program at DAFI. He is set to join Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Group as a Group Management Trainee.
At a Crossroads, I Chose a “Reverse” Path
01
Looking back on my job search, my choice might not be considered mainstream. As a graduate of MF (Financial Analyst Track) program, many assume you should pursue roles at securities firms, investment banks, or research institutes, preferably top-tier positions in research, valuation, or capital operations. I once worked toward this goal too: I participated in spring recruitment, attended internship interviews, prepared written exam materials, and conducted in-depth business analyses for several finance-related projects.
But as autumn recruitment progressed, I gradually became aware of the practical pressures brought by the overall contraction of the finance industry. On one hand, the number of positions decreased and selection criteria became stricter; on the other hand, market demand for “MF degrees plus internship experience” reached a fever pitch. During that period, I felt anxious and constantly questioned whether my “path dependence” was worth clinging to.
This led me to ask myself two questions: Could I take a longer-term view of my career? Was I willing to choose a more suitable starting point amid the current cycle? My answer was clear: Instead of being trapped in internal friction over an obsession with a single industry, I would try “reverse planning”, seeking a platform where I could settle down and grow, and a company that was truly willing to nurture young talents.
For Interviews, the Key Was Learning to Translate “Finance-specific Language”
02
In the end, I decided to apply for the Group Management Trainee position at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Group. The interview process was not overly complex but highly professional: the initial interview focused on background checks and confirmation of my motivation by the HR Department; the final interview was conducted by a panel of senior executives, covering areas like English proficiency, management logic, professional competence, and job fit, with almost no “scripted” questions.
As a candidate from a MF program, I knew the first barrier I needed to break down was the perception that “you don’t belong here”.
When they asked why I wasn’t choosing a bank or securities firm, I didn’t avoid the question. Instead, I explained my judgment on cyclical fluctuations and my interest in the stable growth trajectory of the real economy sector. When they followed up with “What can a finance background bring to an airport?”, I drew on corporate M&A cases and budget control projects from my coursework to explain how I would use financial modeling methods to assess the financial feasibility of terminal expansion and renovation projects.
These answers weren’t memorized by rote, they were the result of repeatedly “translating” my professional background during my preparation instead. I tried to speak finance in the language of airport professionals and use financial thinking to address operational challenges. I believed this was one of the reasons I was hired: I wasn’t just there to “adapt”, I was there to “contribute instead.”
Finding My Value in a Traditional Industry
03
I was already familiar with the airport industry, but what truly sparked my interest was learning about the structure of this position. The rotation system for Group Management Trainees offered a systematic perspective, meaning I could gain firsthand understanding of organizational operations across different business lines.
Even though I haven’t officially joined yet, I’ve noticed the structural changes taking place in the airport industry. From digital operations to energy conservation and carbon reduction, from terminal commercial area management to collaboration with international airlines, infrastructure platforms like Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport are no longer just simple transportation hubs, they have evolved into comprehensive resource allocation and collaborative management systems.
Such systems needed both professional managers who understood operational processes and individuals who could interpret financial logic. I believed this was where a finance background could add value: not by simply applying models, but by contributing capabilities like data awareness, systematic thinking, and risk perception to the upgrading and optimization of traditional industries.
I didn’t know if I would return to the mainstream track of the finance industry in the future, but I was confident that my current choice had given me a more practice-oriented starting point, and helped me find my value in this system.
Tips
In interviews, don’t just say “I am passionate”; however, it’s more convincing to talk about what you have done.
Don’t jump in blindly just because a field is popular, and don’t give up easily just because it’s niche.
“Translating” finance-specific language into plain logic is the key to succeeding in cross-industry interviews.
Job hunting is not about finding a “title” but finding a “growth path”.
Message:
There isn’t just one path to follow, and success doesn’t have to look grand or glamorous. May you always remain clear-minded, gentle, and resolute, with the ability to adjust your pace calmly and the confidence to take responsibility for yourself.
