From Junior Consultant to Defence Specialist: Nicholas Höhns, Rud Pedersen Berlin

Before joining Erste Lesung, my academic and professional path had already taken me into the world of European politics, international relations, and public affairs. With a background in European Studies and International Relations, I was particularly interested in how political decision-making works in practice — how ideas become policy, how stakeholders position themselves, and how communication can shape outcomes.

At Erste Lesung, I had the opportunity to turn that interest into hands-on consulting experience. I joined as a Junior Consultant, but was quickly given the chance to take on responsibility, work closely with clients, and contribute to projects from strategy development to implementation. Being trusted early on helped me grow fast — professionally, analytically, and personally.

One of the most valuable lessons from my time at Erste Lesung was learning how to navigate complex political environments with structure, clarity, and confidence. I learned how important it is to understand both the details of a policy issue and the broader political context around it. Just as importantly, I learned how to translate complex topics into clear advice, build trust with clients, and manage competing priorities under time pressure.

These experiences have stayed with me and continue to shape my work today. In my current role as Senior Consultant for Defence at Rud Pedersen Berlin, I work at the intersection of public affairs, European security, and defence policy. The skills I developed at Erste Lesung — strategic thinking, political analysis, client management, and clear communication — are directly relevant to my daily work. They help me advise clients in a policy field that is highly dynamic, politically sensitive, and increasingly important for Europe’s future.

Looking back, Erste Lesung was an important step in my professional development. It gave me the space to take responsibility early, sharpen my consulting profile, and develop a strong foundation for the next stages of my career.