Yuxuan Dong
Pre-MS Job Title and Company:
Sales & Trading, J.P. Morgan
Post-CBS Goals:
Energy & Infrastructure Credit
CBS Activities or Clubs:
2nd-Year MSFE Board Career Rep, Energy & Infrastructure Club, Coffee & Tea Club Events AVP, Restructuring & Debt Investing Group, Columbia Student Investment Management Association
Favorite NYC Activities:
Bouldering in Central Park and at Vital gyms, jogging in Central Park, and visiting museums (the Met is my favorite!)
Fun Fact about yourself:
I collect mugs made by local artists everywhere I travel, and someday I hope to build a full mug wall at home for my coffee brewing.
What drew you to pursue a Master of Science degree at Columbia Business School?
I have always been very interested in fixed income, but before the MS program, I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy the primary or secondary market more, or which sectors I wanted to focus on. The MSFE program at Columbia Business School gave me the flexibility to explore different products and areas across the fixed income space, and the industry panels and alumni connections really helped me understand market dynamics and the different career paths out there.
In my previous role, I also worked on several analytical projects and realized how important it is to understand and leverage data in investment analysis. I wanted a program that would help me build those technical skills in a structured way so I could become a more interdisciplinary professional – someone who can pair strong qualitative judgment with quantitative evidence. That’s why I have really appreciated the academic rigor of the MS program in strengthening my technical skills, which ended up being incredibly helpful during my summer internship.
Which courses or professors have had the biggest impact on your learning so far?
Big Data in Finance. Each session is taught by a different professor with deep sector expertise, which gave me a broad view of how big data is used across different areas of finance and what is actually possible with the right tools. The private equity/venture capital and real estate sessions taught by Professor Michael Ewens and Professor Tomasz Piskorski were especially eye-opening. We learned what datasets exist, where to find them, and how to work with them. Since I hope to build my career in the primary market within infrastructure, which has a real estate angle, this part felt incredibly insightful and directly relevant to my future work. My favorite part was text data. I have always been curious about what text analysis can really do, and Professor Harry Mamaysky gave us the right context, toolkits, and frameworks to actually apply it. This is one of those classes I know I will look back on and continue learning from over time.
Have you taken electives outside your core MS program? If so, what stood out?
I have taken several MBA electives, and Managerial Negotiations is the class that stood out the most. Every session involved a negotiation exercise. In the first half of the semester, we focused on one-on-one negotiations, and after each exercise we wrote feedback for both ourselves and our counterpart. The second half shifted to multi-issue group negotiations, which added an entirely new level of complexity and fun. This class made me realize how often negotiation shows up in both work and everyday life. It helped me understand my own negotiation style – my strengths, weaknesses, and what I should aim for in any negotiation. I learned that negotiation is really about understanding each party’s priorities and being creative in creating value for everyone, rather than simply getting into a “bloody fight” to win the biggest slice of the pie. Since my future work will involve many deal and contract negotiations, this class has been incredibly meaningful to me and directly relevant to my long-term career.
What’s been the most valuable insight or skill you’ve gained from learning at Columbia Business School?
One of the most valuable skills I have gained is a quantitative and theoretical “toolkit” that helps me analyze things I used to approach mostly qualitatively. I am now much more aware of the economic mechanisms behind an issue, the data that can support or challenge a narrative, and the models that can quantify risk or test assumptions. I also became more conscious of how much useful data is actually available and how to pull it for different purposes. In many ways, the MSFE program opened up a new toolbox for thinking about real-world problems.
What have been some of the most valuable relationships or connections you’ve built through this program?
The most valuable relationships I have built are with both my peers and faculty. Exploring a career path can feel overwhelming at times, especially during the first semester when everything felt new and the learning curve was steep. But I have been lucky to meet so many like-minded peers – not only within the MSFE program but across CBS. We have supported each other through academics and recruiting, and also made time to enjoy the city together, whether that means grabbing coffee or going bouldering after class.
I have also found the faculty to be incredibly approachable and supportive. I still remember feeling uncertain about my career direction and reaching out to Professor Harry Mamaysky for advice. He shared thoughtful and inspiring guidance that helped me think more clearly about my path, and I am genuinely grateful for that. Across CBS, professors are very open to conversations, and I have learned so much from their industry experience – all of which has helped me prepare for my short-term career steps and shaped the way I think about my long-term development.
How has access to Columbia Business School’s resources and alumni network shaped your professional opportunities or mentorship experiences?
First, the variety of classes allowed me to explore different sectors in a very organic way. Whenever something caught my interest, I could dive deeper – whether it was Project Finance, Real Estate Finance, or interdisciplinary courses like Cities Disrupted, Cities Transformed. These classes helped me understand what I genuinely enjoy and gradually shaped my career direction.
Second, student clubs have also been incredibly helpful. Through the Coffee & Tea Club, I met so many like-minded people and even got to speak with café founders and operators. Those conversations gave me both inspiration and real connections I wouldn’t have had otherwise. With the Energy & Infrastructure Club, I joined the Denver trek, which really broadened my perspective. I visited a wind farm, asked operators the questions I had been curious about during my internship, and learned how different players – from developers to investors – operate and fit into the broader ecosystem. That experience helped me understand how the industry actually works and will absolutely help me in my future roles.
Third, the alumni network has been extremely helpful. I met many alumni who were very willing to share their experiences. I would tell them about my background, what I am thinking about, and the questions I have, and they would offer thoughtful, honest feedback. Some even introduced me to people in their networks who could help me further. These conversations helped me sort through my thoughts and feel much more confident about my direction.
What would you tell a prospective student about managing the fast-paced structure of the MS program? Any application tips you would like to share?
The first semester is always the hardest. You are taking rigorous PhD-level classes while managing recruiting. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you are aiming for a role that is extremely competitive or not traditionally linear. But having the right expectations really helps. Things do get smoother. And you have to trust that you will eventually figure things out. All the difficult moments you are experiencing early on are actually helping you understand what you want and who you are. Being resilient, staying open-minded, and learning to adapt to the fast pace of the program, and even the pace of the city, makes a huge difference.
I think the most important thing is to be really clear about how Columbia Business School’s resources align with your goals – not necessarily a specific job title, but the direction you want to grow toward after graduation. Think about how the MS program can help you get there and articulate that clearly. And for me, this isn’t just about the application – having that clarity has genuinely helped me stay focused while “steering through the storm”.
What has been the most rewarding part of your MS journey so far?
For me, the most rewarding part has definitely been the people I have met. Throughout my MS journey, I have gotten to know peers with incredibly diverse perspectives and ambitions. Everyone is pushing hard toward their goals, and being surrounded by that energy has been both inspiring and grounding. I have also been lucky to find people I genuinely enjoy spending time with – whether it is exploring New York City or going bouldering after class. I am truly grateful to have found such a supportive group of friends who make this experience both meaningful and fun.
Post-MS career interests?
After the MS program, I hope to build a career in infrastructure debt. I am drawn to infrastructure because it fundamentally shapes the world we live in and the quality of life we experience – whether it is energy infrastructure that supports the transition to a more sustainable future, digital infrastructure that enables AI and data capabilities, or transportation networks that form the backbone of economic connectivity. What excites me is that debt, the area I am most passionate about, plays a critical role in bringing these projects to life. I would feel truly fulfilled working in a role where I can help channel debt capital into projects that create tangible, positive impact for communities and the broader environment.