Tyler
Zolkos
I build clean digital systems, event brands, and tools that solve real problems.
Open to internships & freelance work
I'm a Computer Science student at the University of South Carolina with a focus on cybersecurity, software engineering, and building practical tools.
I like working at the intersection of technology, design, and operations — whether that means building web apps, producing events, or creating systems that make teams move faster.
Outside of code: CMO of Inspire Columbia, technical producer for TEDx events, general manager at The Loose Cockaboose, and Director of Marketing on exec for Kappa Theta Pi. I care about making things that actually work.
Featured
work.
A mix of hackathon builds, personal tools, and event systems.
PolePadAI
Hackathon BuildPolePadAI
Hackathon · Dominion Energy
A utility pole inspection workflow tool built at the Dominion Energy hackathon. I owned the front-end, API integration, dashboard flow, authentication setup, and deployment polish. Tight deadline, real constraints.
PalmettoInsurance
Hackathon BuildPalmettoInsurance
Hackathon · PalmettoHacks 2026 · Capgemini
An AI-powered insurance operations platform built at PalmettoHacks 2026. Features claims filing with photo upload and AI triage, a 24/7 multilingual policy assistant, usage-based pricing, and digital document access — all with human-in-the-loop approval. Sub-2-minute claim intake, 91% AI accuracy.
VulnVault
CompletedVulnVault
Cybersecurity · Personal Project
A vulnerability tracking system designed around a proper business/service layer architecture. PostgreSQL backend, FastAPI for the REST layer, and a clean separation of concerns throughout.
SC Economics Volunteers
LiveSC Economics Volunteers
Platform · Full-Stack
A volunteer management platform with admin dashboard features, event tracking, and volunteer hour workflows. Built to replace spreadsheets that weren't scaling.
ShiftSync
LiveShiftSync
Scheduling Platform · Full-Stack
A multi-role shift scheduling app for restaurant groups. Employees submit availability and clock in via PIN, managers build schedules and manage staff, and owners get a cross-location overview. Built with role-based views, shift templates, and preset management.
Inspire Columbia / TEDx
OngoingInspire Columbia / TEDx
Event Systems · Creative Direction
Branding, marketing, technical production, and operations for community-focused events in Columbia, SC. From designing decks to running AV — the whole stack, just not the software kind.
The Stack
Matrix.
Technologies I reach for, organized by where they live in the build.
Languages & Frameworks
Databases & Backend
Tools & Platforms
Experience
Chief Marketing Officer
Inspire Columbia
- Led brand strategy and marketing operations for a community-focused nonprofit events org.
- Built and managed social content pipelines, partnerships, and outreach campaigns.
- Oversaw creative direction for campaigns that drove real attendance and sponsor growth.
Technical Producer
TEDxCongaree Vista
- Handled AV setup, livestream tech, and on-site production for the full event.
- Coordinated with speakers and venue staff to make sure nothing broke on show day.
- Built run-of-show documents and technical checklists used by the whole crew.
General Manager
The Loose Cockaboose
- Managed day-to-day operations, staffing, and logistics for a high-traffic venue.
- Created operational systems that reduced prep time and improved event turnover.
- Handled vendor relationships and inventory alongside event day coordination.
Director of Marketing (Exec)
Kappa Theta Pi — ΚΘΠ
- On executive board of USC's chapter of KTP, the co-ed professional tech fraternity focused on CS, design, business, and IT.
- Lead marketing and branding efforts to grow chapter presence and drive recruitment across the tech community on campus.
- Help connect members to career opportunities, professional development, and a network of students who actually care about technology.
Software Engineering Intern
CB Group LLC
- Built and maintained internal software tools supporting business operations.
- Developed ShiftSync, a multi-role scheduling platform for managing staff availability, shift templates, and schedules across multiple restaurant locations.
- Currently building an internal inventory management system to track stock, streamline ordering, and reduce manual overhead.
Software / Front-End Developer
Projects & Hackathons
- Built full-stack apps using React, Next.js, FastAPI, and PostgreSQL across several projects.
- Competed in hackathons including Dominion Energy, shipping real products under pressure.
- Focused on clean UIs, proper architecture, and tools that people actually use.
Outside the repo.
The parts of my work that don't show up on GitHub.
Event Production
From TEDx stages to venue operations — I've run the technical and logistical side of events that need to go right on the day.
Team Leadership
Led marketing teams, managed staff, and coordinated across departments. I'm used to being the person who makes sure things actually get done.
Marketing & Branding
Built brand voices, ran campaigns, and handled creative direction for orgs that needed more than just a logo — they needed a story.
Systems & Ops
Whether it's a software architecture doc or an operational checklist, I tend to think in systems. Repeatable, scalable, actually usable.
Let's build
something useful.
Whether you're looking for a dev intern, a collaborator on something weird, or just want to connect — reach out. I actually check my messages.