For our Alumna of the Month interview, we spoke to Sophie Kerr, a final year Classics student at King’s College London, who will soon begin her career as a trainee accountant in St Paul’s while studying towards the ACA qualification.

Can you briefly describe what you are currently doing?  

I am currently in my final year studying Classics at King’s College London, and after graduation, I am beginning my career as a trainee accountant studying for the ACA qualification in St Paul’s.

What was your path after leaving Bromley High School, and how did you get to where you are now?

After completing my A Level’s I followed my passion for the ancient world by studying Classics at university. While it might seem like a jump from ancient history to finance, I always had a split interest in Classics and Maths. Pursuing a subject I genuinely loved for my degree gave me the analytical skills and drive to secure my upcoming ACA accounting traineeship.

What skills or experiences from Bromley High School have helped you the most?

What I value most about Bromley High School is how the environment encouraged me to be my complete, authentic self without limitations. I was someone with a massive variety of interests; I loved academics, winning the school prizes for Art, Maths, and RS in years 7-9, but I was also sporty, running track and holding the school records for sprints and long jump.

Bromley High School never forced me to choose one identity over another. I was allowed to be highly academic and athletic all at once. That experience taught me that you don’t have to limit yourself or fit into a specific box. This mindset has been invaluable as I’ve transitioned from a Classics degree into a corporate finance career, and it has taught me that it’s important to do what is true to you and pursue all your strengths.

What was one challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges was balancing my workload during the second year of my degree when I was also working full time as an usher at a West End theatre. Managing late nights at the theatre alongside intensive academic deadlines was incredibly demanding, and I really had to learn how to manage my time and energy effectively. Although it was a tough balancing act, it was an amazing, rewarding experience that taught me a lot about myself. Overcoming that pressure helped me build a deep sense of resilience and time management. I know that this exact experience gave me the mental strength and work ethic that helped me secure my upcoming ACA accounting role, where balancing professional exams and work is key.

What advice would you give to current Sixth Formers who are thinking about their future?

Don’t be afraid to follow your genuine interests right now, rather than just worrying about whether a subject seems like a ‘textbook’ career choice. Your drive and passion will naturally lead you to the places that are right for you. You don’t need to box yourself into what you think you should do. As my path shows, you can pursue a degree in Classics and still pivot into a completely different field like accounting. It’s so important to do what is true to you; the career paths will open up if you work hard at what you love.

Is there anything you wish you’d known about work or university when you were at school?

I wish I had known that no experience is ever wasted, and that skills are incredibly transferable. When you are at school, it’s easy to think that your life is divided into strict categories, that a humanities degree only leads to teaching, or that a part-time job in a theatre is just a hobby. In reality, the real world values adaptability and grit above all else. The essay writing and critical thinking from my Classics degree, combined with the resilience I gained working in the West End, are the exact tools that allowed me to pivot into finance. You don’t need a linear, perfect plan; as long as you work hard and stay open to learning, every single experience builds a foundation for your future.