Interview question: "What have you done to express your passion about the financial industry?"

When I was looking for a job, I was coming from a non-target without much background in finance. I don't know how much this would help people who are currently in a similar situation, but I imagine one way to explain what you've done is to explain just how much you have worked to put yourself on the right path towards finance. For me, I might say something as follows:

In terms of expressing my passion about the industry, I've taken many steps to try to gain employment in this field. Graduating as a ___ major, with significant experience in the field, I realize that I probably could have more easily secured employment had I stayed in that role. But as someone passionate about finance, I made a conscious effort after graduation to change my path. In terms of expressing my passion about the industry, I have sacrificed job and life security to spend hours cold emailing and interviewing to get even one or two unpaid internships. For each internship, I worked full time each day, and diligently reviewed articles and journals pertaining to the industry for which transactions I was working. As I conducted 100s of calls with people in finance, I wanted to gain as strong a perspective of the recruitment and day-in-the-life nature of finance, and I took the ultimate risk in going back to school with ___'s Master's in ___. As someone a year out of school, it was a big financial commitment to go back--but as someone passionate about this field, I realized that I could not succeed in the industry without stronger knowledge. Not only would ___ improve my passion for ___, it would give me a shot to recruit for the job I truly want.

In taking risks to further my career, and gain entry into finance, I feel that I have actively demonstrated my passion for finance.

A little wordy, but feel free to take this tone if you think it's helpful. Of course, I never got this question in an interview, so YMMV.