From HPPF to McKinsey: Mwaria Kiania’s Next Step

Mwaria Kiania recently completed the MSc Health Policy, Planning and Financing programme and is due to join McKinsey as an associate in the Nairobi office in January 2027, after successfully navigating the firm’s competitive recruitment process.

As part of his preparation, Mwaria worked closely with LSE Careers, receiving support with his application and interview preparation from Rachel Power, our department’s Careers Consultant. We caught up with him to hear more about his experience, how the HPPF programme helped prepare him for the recruitment process, and his advice for current students starting their own job search.

1. How did you prepare for your McKinsey application?

I approached LSE Careers, and they helped me map out my intended career journey. They suggested that I make a list of 100 organisations and systematically apply to them. McKinsey was in my top three.

The application required only a CV, so I used the Check Your CV platform at LSE to make sure it was as strong as possible. I sent off my application and was lucky enough to hear back from them.

2. How did the HPPF programme help you secure the role?

The HPPF programme helped me secure the role in two ways. First, McKinsey came to London for a recruitment event, and the students invited were from LSE, Oxford, Cambridge and LBS. Through being on the programme, I was fortunate to receive an invitation to the event.

The second way the programme helped me was that some of the courses are structured in ways that directly mirror McKinsey's interview process. What we do in the seminars for organisational management and economic analysis, in terms of taking a big problem, breaking it down into smaller pieces, using frameworks to be exhaustive and arriving at a solution, is exactly what the case study interviews required.

Having already done that as part of my programme meant that I was especially well prepared for the interviews.

3. What is your top tip for current students starting their job search, especially in a competitive market?

I would say start early and make as many appointments with LSE Careers as you need to. Make an appointment when you're tailoring your job search and when you get to the practice interview stage.

They're always willing to give you as many appointments as you may need as you advance through the process, so please do take advantage of LSE Careers.

4. Looking back, what do you think made the biggest difference in helping you secure your offer?

I would say having done the practice interviews. We rehearsed both the main stories and the backup stories.

During my interview, I had to use my backup story, and rather than panic, I was able to give the story that I had already prepared with Rachel, specifically emphasising the parts that we had discussed.

Having that comfort of being able to switch to a backup story and knowing it was a situation I had prepared for and was ready to adapt to, made a real difference.

Start your own career journey

As Mwaria’s experience highlights, making use of the support available through LSE Careers can be a valuable part of preparing your next steps. From exploring career options to preparing applications and interviews, you can find out more about the support available through LSE Careers.