Non-finance work experience on resume?

[ezbentley]

This question is for those who have successfully switched career into finance from engineering/science background.

If your experience in finance is limited to academic courses(zero professional experience) but have extensive working experience in a non-related field, what is a good strategy to structure your resume to emphasize your intent and preparation for a finance job(specifically for the first internship)?

I don't think it would be good to entirely de-emphasize prior irrelevant working experience. Prior programming or engineering analytical experience could be favorably viewed. But at the same time I don't want the resume to look like a resume for an engineering job.

Thanks in advance for any practical advice.