Nicolai is a first-generation student from a single-parent working-class household in rural Germany. His desire to join the Blavatnik School is rooted in his resolve to become the best public servant he can be in order to advance social equity and economic mobility for others. Inspired by his personal history, Nicolai earned a master's degree in Economics, learning ways to combat poverty and discrimination. Exploring different career paths in public service, he pursued internships in teaching, consulting, civil service, and government enterprise, during which he applied himself to adult education, the compatibility of family and work life, smart city development, foreign relations, and sustainable mobility. After graduation, Nicolai became a full-time strategy consultant and focused on public and social sector projects for sustainable and inclusive growth. Going forward, he hopes to transition from policy implementation to (social) policymaking in an international setting.