For our Alumna of the Month interview, we spoke to Ellen Brandi, Projects and Programme Graduate at Transport for London.
Ellen joined Bromley High School in 2013 and left in 2020 after studying A level Art, Psychology, Philosophy and Theology. Ellen then went on to study a degree in Design at Goldsmith, University of London.
Please can you briefly describe your current role?
I am currently working as a Projects and Programmes Graduate at Transport for London. My role is made up of four six-month placements across the business within project management, investment planning and construction. I have worked within many TfL teams such as Trams, DLR Extension, Woolwich Ferry and Santander Cycle Hire. My role is both a mixture of site-based and office work which is something I thoroughly enjoy. Since being at TfL for a year I have achieved my Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) qualification which will allow me to further succeed in my chosen role after I have completed my graduate scheme.
How did Bromley High School help shape your career?
The Bromley High School education is something I am eternally grateful for. The teaching and attitudes of all staff instilled in me a confidence which I am not sure I would have if I went to an alternative school. My role is in a male-dominated industry and although sometimes I find myself dealing with ‘imposter syndrome’, the confidence and assertiveness I gained at Bromley High School is something I carry with me day-to-day. The school showed me that all women have a place within any industry and right now there is no better time to get involved, especially in construction and engineering. Moreover, Bromley High School taught me more than just how to be successful academically, it taught me how to utilise soft skills and truly prepared me for the world of work.
What aspects of Bromley High School did you most enjoy, and find most rewarding?
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to and attending Minerva lectures at the school during lunchtimes as it was a great way to hear from a speaker in a specialism which was completely unrelated to any of my schoolwork. This allowed me to think differently and with an open mind. As well as this, during my time in the Sixth Form I co-founded ‘Digital Art Club’ for Year 7 and 8 which was incredibly rewarding as I was able to teach digital art techniques to younger students and allow them to express themselves creatively using a new medium which they could implement into their art studies.
What is your favourite memory of being at Bromley High School?
My favourite memory of being at Bromley High School is the annual Christmas karaoke and the shows put on by the Sixth Form. Since Year 7 I had been so inspired by the older pupils. Helping put on the show in the Sixth Form was an amazing experience and showed the importance of having fun at school as well as working hard.
What value do you get out of your connections with your fellow alumnae?
It is wonderful to see what previous pupils now do and to witness their growth from being a pupil to being a working professional. Many of us are not working in what we believed to be our ‘dream role’ at school but are excelling at something we did not think would be for us. I truly believe that Bromley High School helped us in maintaining an open mind and an ‘I can do this’ attitude.