Jordan Smith

From navigating the classrooms of Hyogo to leading sales for one of the UK’s biggest craft breweries, Jordan Smith’s journey is a masterclass in leveraging the unexpected benefits of international experience.

The Placement: Amagasaki, Hyogo-ken (2012–2015) Working as an ALT in an academic high school provided Jordan with a vibrant base to explore Japan and wider Asia. Unforgettable early milestones—like climbing Mt Fuji, spending a first magical night in a traditional ryokan, and building lifelong local friendships—were matched by rapid Japanese language acquisition.

The Post-JET Path: Crafting a Global Career Jordan’s fluency opened immediate doors, leading to a role as the sole foreign-born staff member at a Japanese company. This launched a successful trajectory in Japan's alcoholic beverage sector before returning to Canada, and ultimately relocating to the UK.

Today, Jordan serves as the Customer Development Manager at Driscolls in London, [desscription]:

Unexpected Language Crossover: Japanese skills frequently come into play during London sales calls and meetings with local Japanese restaurant accounts.

Global Perspective: Cross-cultural adaptability gained in North America, Asia, and Europe continues to serve as a major asset when leading sales strategy.

Sempai Advice: Capitalise on Your Niche

Look for ways that your unique experience can benefit you in your new role, even if you may not expect it. There are many Japanese companies expanding globally all the time and you never know when you'll encounter one.

Are you a JET alum with a story to share? Get in touch to be featured in an upcoming Senpai Spotlight.