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SEASON 1, EPISODE 15
AI, open source, and the new entry-level
Preparing students for tech careers
With Tyler Menezes, CodeDay
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Tyler Menezes, CEO of CodeDay, a nonprofit that creates welcoming, project-based experiences for underserved students to explore a future in technology through 24-hour coding events and open source–focused internships.
Tyler shares his journey from Y Combinator–backed startup founder to nonprofit leader, and why CodeDay is obsessed with helping students build real things, not just pass tests. He breaks down how experiential learning, mentorship, and open source contributions can close the gap between “I have a degree” and “I can actually do the work” in an AI-saturated job market.
From rethinking hackathons as creative entry points for beginners, to using open source as a verifiable micro-credential, to confronting how AI is eroding traditional entry-level roles, this conversation looks squarely at what students really need to become workforce-ready in computer science and beyond.
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About the guest
Tyler Menezes
CEO, CodeDay
Tyler Menezes is CEO of CodeDay, a nonprofit that helps underserved students build real technology through 24-hour coding events and its Labs open-source internship program, where students earn verifiable open-source contributions with one-on-one mentorship. CodeDay’s programs are designed to close the gap between finishing a computer science degree and being genuinely job-ready.
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