E34 —Jacob Smith— Walmart Manager to Wartime Planner

Jacob Smith (Class of 2025) takes "non-traditional background" to a whole new level. He joined the workforce after high school, stocking grocery shelves at his local Florida Walmart. He rose up the ranks, becoming an assistant manager in his early 20s and running a store with $80 million annual revenue. He then joined the U.S. military, where he ended up leading HR wartime planning for all of South Korea. No matter who you are or where your path has led you, we hope Jacob's unique yet relatable story offers lessons, inspiration, and humor.Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the official view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned.