Trucking Bees
Trucking Bees
Bridging Gaps in the Trucking Industry with Loyola's Support
Vanja Vidojevic, a Serbian professional with a background in Management Systems and a passion for solving real-world challenges, embarked on an innovative journey that brought together technology, education, and community support. Partnering with Loyola School of Continuing Professional Studies instructor, Christopher Fulton, Vidojevic aimed to address the pressing issue of truck driver shortages in the transportation industry.
Vidojevic's unique connection to the Serbian community in Chicago, coupled with her boyfriend's involvement in the transportation industry, brought her attention to the persisting issue of a shortage of truck drivers. Recognizing the need for a platform where businesses with small fleets could easily connect with available drivers, Vidojevic envisioned a solution—an app or website for this purpose.
Armed with a pitch deck, Vidojevic sought to transform her concept into a tangible prototype. Aware that she needed assistance in developing wireframes and user experience design, she reached out to universities, eventually finding Christopher Fulton at Loyola. She was on a mission to enroll in a specific program that focused on wireframes and user experience design.
With the BA in Web Technologies at Loyola University Chicago, your courses will always reflect the prevailing technology and web design tools of the times. With the BA in Information Technology at Loyola University Chicago, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of IT principles, concepts, and practices.
Vidojevic reached out to Fulton directly, and to her delight, he responded positively to the idea. This marked the beginning of a collaborative effort that would not only benefit Vidojevic but also engage SCPS students in a real-world project.
Working closely with Chris and a student within the capstone program, Kara Ketterhagen, Vidojevic expressed her gratitude for the guidance they provided throughout the process. “Chris and Kara not only helped develop wireframes, but Kara also had the creative freedom to express ideas,” said Vidojevic. Together, the Loyola team submitted drafts, created mock-up screens, and conducted tests with a group of 12 users.
Ketterhagen’s practicum focused on working with Vidojevic to develop high-fidelity wireframes and running A/B testing based on a set of goals outlined by the client. The primary objective was to enhance the user experience (UX) and to achieve the desired business outcome of a website/application by iteratively testing variations of a key design element and measuring the impact on user behavior and organizational metrics.
Ketterhagen’s work on this project not only demonstrated her skills but also showcased the expertise fostered through her studies at Loyola. The field of web technologies is ever evolving, with new tools, apps, sites, and algorithms constantly changing the norms and best practices. At Loyola, the programs in Web Technologies ensure that its courses reflect the most current technologies and web design tools.
"Fulton and Ketterhagen played a pivotal role in bringing my idea to life, since seeking investors proved challenging without a minimum viable product or prototype." Vanja Vidojevic, Founder of Trucking Bees
In the program, students like Ketterhagen build a solid foundation in the design and development of web applications, empowering them to best serve business needs. With a focus on practical skills, students choose a track that aligns with their professional interests and goals: development, data, or design and media. Each track, is built by stacking two certificates, which equips students with the skills needed for specific roles in IT.
Ketterhagen’s journey with Vidojevic and Fulton demonstrates how the education provided by Loyola’s SCPS prepares students to tackle real-world challenges with proficiency. As Ketterhagen navigated the user experience design and A/B testing, the course and mentorship with Fulton provided the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in her capstone.
Reflecting on the journey, Vidojevic shared, “Fulton and Ketterhagen played a pivotal role in bringing my idea to life, since seeking investors proved challenging without a minimum viable product or prototype. Their patience, guidance, and willingness to give the idea a chance helped bridge the gap between concept and reality.”
As Vidojevic seeks further investment and development for her Trucking Bees platform, Loyola's support remains a key memory in her entrepreneurial journey. The users who tested the app are impressed, and Vidojevic is now poised to make a lasting impact on the trucking industry, thanks to the collaboration with Loyola's dedicated faculty and students.
"As an instructor, I look to find relevant ways to connect the material back to everyday life and have students work on projects they can use beyond my course." - Chris Fulton, Clinical Instructor of Information Technology Programs
Information Technology BA
The program follows current industry standards and incorporates an introduction to IT systems, networking, and security, giving you what you need to succeed in jobs with an information technology degree.
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Web Technologies BA
Throughout the program, you will build a solid foundation in the design and development of web applications so you can best serve business needs.
Learn MoreVanja Vidojevic, a Serbian professional with a background in Management Systems and a passion for solving real-world challenges, embarked on an innovative journey that brought together technology, education, and community support. Partnering with Loyola School of Continuing Professional Studies instructor, Christopher Fulton, Vidojevic aimed to address the pressing issue of truck driver shortages in the transportation industry.
Vidojevic's unique connection to the Serbian community in Chicago, coupled with her boyfriend's involvement in the transportation industry, brought her attention to the persisting issue of a shortage of truck drivers. Recognizing the need for a platform where businesses with small fleets could easily connect with available drivers, Vidojevic envisioned a solution—an app or website for this purpose.
Armed with a pitch deck, Vidojevic sought to transform her concept into a tangible prototype. Aware that she needed assistance in developing wireframes and user experience design, she reached out to universities, eventually finding Christopher Fulton at Loyola. She was on a mission to enroll in a specific program that focused on wireframes and user experience design.
Vidojevic reached out to Fulton directly, and to her delight, he responded positively to the idea. This marked the beginning of a collaborative effort that would not only benefit Vidojevic but also engage SCPS students in a real-world project.
Working closely with Chris and a student within the capstone program, Kara Ketterhagen, Vidojevic expressed her gratitude for the guidance they provided throughout the process. “Chris and Kara not only helped develop wireframes, but Kara also had the creative freedom to express ideas,” said Vidojevic. Together, the Loyola team submitted drafts, created mock-up screens, and conducted tests with a group of 12 users.
Ketterhagen’s practicum focused on working with Vidojevic to develop high-fidelity wireframes and running A/B testing based on a set of goals outlined by the client. The primary objective was to enhance the user experience (UX) and to achieve the desired business outcome of a website/application by iteratively testing variations of a key design element and measuring the impact on user behavior and organizational metrics.
Ketterhagen’s work on this project not only demonstrated her skills but also showcased the expertise fostered through her studies at Loyola. The field of web technologies is ever evolving, with new tools, apps, sites, and algorithms constantly changing the norms and best practices. At Loyola, the programs in Web Technologies ensure that its courses reflect the most current technologies and web design tools.
In the program, students like Ketterhagen build a solid foundation in the design and development of web applications, empowering them to best serve business needs. With a focus on practical skills, students choose a track that aligns with their professional interests and goals: development, data, or design and media. Each track, is built by stacking two certificates, which equips students with the skills needed for specific roles in IT.
Ketterhagen’s journey with Vidojevic and Fulton demonstrates how the education provided by Loyola’s SCPS prepares students to tackle real-world challenges with proficiency. As Ketterhagen navigated the user experience design and A/B testing, the course and mentorship with Fulton provided the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in her capstone.
Reflecting on the journey, Vidojevic shared, “Fulton and Ketterhagen played a pivotal role in bringing my idea to life, since seeking investors proved challenging without a minimum viable product or prototype. Their patience, guidance, and willingness to give the idea a chance helped bridge the gap between concept and reality.”
As Vidojevic seeks further investment and development for her Trucking Bees platform, Loyola's support remains a key memory in her entrepreneurial journey. The users who tested the app are impressed, and Vidojevic is now poised to make a lasting impact on the trucking industry, thanks to the collaboration with Loyola's dedicated faculty and students.