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.

Key Moments

01:09 Tyler’s journey from college dropout and YC-backed founder to nonprofit CEO

02:32 Why CodeDay started with students who had little or no prior interest in coding

03:44 Using creativity, games, art, and music to make coding feel fun and accessible

04:25 Where CodeDay sits on the “systems vs. individual learner” continuum

10:19 How teachers find CodeDay and why there is a learning curve on both sides

26:14 New grads hiring is down, mid/senior hiring is up: what that means for CS programs

27:55 Rethinking the value of a CS degree in an AI-driven labor market

28:32 AI as the new “junior engineer” and the shrinking space for entry-level roles

38:47 The Open Source Fellowship and supporting students over multiple years

40:00 How CodeDay measures engagement, readiness, and long-term impact

41:04 Using application, interview, and offer data as a near-term signal of employability

42:07 Classifying student standups with AI to find who is stuck and intervene early

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you care about how to actually get students from “I took the class” to “I can get hired and contribute on day one,” this episode is a must-listen. Tyler challenges the assumption that more content or more credentials automatically lead to opportunity, and instead argues for experiences that build independence, curiosity, and real-world problem solving.

Connect with Tyler Menezes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermenezes

Website : https://www.codeday.org/e/labs/2uvhp7v7qak11i2tv28sscd6f8

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/

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