Two PennWest University graduating seniors are preparing to launch careers in cybersecurity while continuing work on a project that already has earned them a published research credit and the potential foundation for a future business venture.
Computer information systems majors Ethan Taylor and Carlos Monge recently contributed to the published study “Doing More with Less: Employing AI for Automation and Business Productivity,” led by Dr. Barbara A. Manko, assistant professor in the Department of Computing and Engineering Technology. The paper appeared in the International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology.
But for Taylor and Monge, the project started with a much simpler idea: solving a real problem they had both seen firsthand.
Monge, of Canonsburg, Pa., works with a small contractor and noticed how difficult it could be for small businesses to keep up with customer calls, scheduling and communication while working on job sites.
“They’re working all day, missing calls and missing potential clients,” Monge said. “We wanted to create something that helps smaller contractors stay connected with customers without slowing down the work they’re already doing.”
Taylor, of Shade Gap, Pa., saw the same challenge while dealing with plumbing repairs at his home.
“They were answering the phone constantly while trying to work,” Taylor said. “That’s when it clicked for me that this was a real problem people were dealing with every day.”
The result became ContractUs+, a web-based platform designed to help small contractors manage appointments, customer communication and scheduling through a streamlined interface with optional AI-powered chatbot features.
The application allows contractors to manage appointments, services and availability while giving customers a simple way to request work, ask questions and schedule services online. Taylor and Monge intentionally designed the platform with small businesses in mind, focusing on affordability and simplicity rather than enterprise-level systems geared toward larger companies.
“This project reflects exactly what we aim to do at PennWest — give students opportunities to apply what they’re learning to real-world challenges,” Manko said. “Seeing their work evolve from a capstone idea into published research is incredibly rewarding and speaks to their dedication and creativity.”
The students say the experience helped them connect classroom learning to practical applications while building skills they will carry into their careers.
Taylor currently works part-time as a security analyst with RSM Defense and will transition into a full-time role after graduation. Monge recently accepted a full-time position with Duquesne Light Company’s identity and access management team and plans to continue pursuing PennWest’s online master’s degree program in data science and analytics.
The pair also hopes to continue refining the application after graduation.
“I don’t want to just give up on it,” Taylor said. “Maybe somebody wants to use it, maybe it becomes a side business — who knows? We built a lot in four months, so imagine what it could become a year from now.”
Pictured: Ethan Taylor (left) and Carlos Monge.