Business graduate thriving at one of America’s best large employers
Just two years after graduating from Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business, Laura Shoopman is building a career in supply chain management at Bridgestone in Nashville, recently ranked among the top 100 employers nationwide by Forbes on its 2026 list of America’s Best Large Employers.
Belmont’s location in Nashville — a premier destination for leading companies across industries — gives students the chance to pair classroom learning with internships, mentorship and real-world experience. Shoopman’s path to Bridgestone illustrates how those connections help Belmont graduates launch successful careers in the city and beyond.
Discovering a Passion for Supply Chain
When Shoopman transferred to Belmont in 2021 to play on the Bruins volleyball team, she started as general business major with a marketing emphasis.
Her dad's career in supply chain sparked her curiosity, and when she enrolled in Global Supply Chain Management with Dr. Dennis Chen, she was hooked.
“I enjoyed the interactions that I had in that class,” she said. “I was engaged and really leaned into the material. Dr. Chen saw that I was excited about his class, so we bonded early on.”
The class included a simulation in which students were responsible for the supply chain process in a mock marketplace. Teams negotiated deals, expanded facilities and made strategic decisions about production and distribution.
“It was like real-world business talk,” she said. “We had suppliers and distributors and had to make deals and respond to the market.”
The guidance from her dad and Dr. Chen combined with her positive experience in Global Supply Chain Management resulted in Shoopman declaring a double major in supply chain management and marketing.
Learning Through Real-World Experience
Shoopman graduated from Belmont in May 2024, but the foundation for her career was built through hands-on learning long before she walked across the stage.
Several Belmont courses stood out for their real-world applications.
In addition to the supply chain simulation, she credits the negotiation course with Dr. Cate Loes for teaching her how to navigate complex conversations and reach agreements in uncertain situations. Another memorable experience came from Social Media Marketing with Dr. Kyle Huggins, where students built and launched their own websites from the ground up.
“I enjoyed how thoughtful the professors were in creating experiences that simulate what you’ll actually do in the workplace,” she said.
Outside the classroom, Shoopman completed four internships around Nashville, gaining exposure to a range of industries and building professional relationships across the city.
“It’s a tighter-knit community than you might expect,” she said. “As I met people, there was always some overlap — someone knew someone else who could connect you to the next opportunity.”
One of those connections came through Belmont’s Athlete Mentorship Program (AMP), which pairs student-athletes with professionals in their field of interest.
Shoopman was matched with John Cason, executive director of procurement director at Bridgestone, whose daughter, Syd, had also been a student-athlete on Belmont's Women’s soccer team. That mentorship proved pivotal for helping Shoopman secure an internship at Bridgestone, which ultimately led to a full-time position after graduation.
Launching a Career at Bridgestone
Shoopman has already advanced in her early career at Bridgestone.
Less than a year ago, she transitioned from her starting position as a material planner to a sourcing manager.
“The leaders here have been very supportive of my development,” she said. “When you express interest and work hard, opportunities open up.”
In the new role, Shoopman navigates complex global supply networks, negotiating partnerships and ensuring products reach markets around the world.
The work mirrors the strategic thinking she practiced during her Belmont supply chain simulation.
“It’s not exactly the same, but it is similar,” she said. “And when it comes to the communication flow and the group working environment, I probably couldn’t make it any closer myself.”
The Power of Leaning In
Looking back, Shoopman believes Belmont’s environment prepared her not just academically, but relationally. With small class sizes and accessible professors, students have opportunities to build meaningful connections.
Maintaining the mindset to fully engage — with professors, internships and professional mentors — served as a driving force behind the career opportunities that have come her way.
“Those relationships made all the difference,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here without the people I met along the way.”
For students considering a business degree or exploring supply chain management, Shoopman encourages them to take full advantage of Belmont’s opportunities.
“Belmont’s smaller class sizes mean you have access to people who genuinely want to help you succeed,” she said. “The earlier you start building those relationships, the more you’ll see the impact by the time you graduate.”
As companies like Bridgestone continue to earn national recognition as top employers, Belmont graduates like Shoopman are proving that the path from classroom to career can start right here in Nashville.
Learn more about the program in this story