Braven at NIU/UNIV 301

Jumpstart your future with our leadership and career accelerator course that is open to all majors.

As an NIU student, you have a unique opportunity to get ahead through our partnership with Braven, a non-profit dedicated to empowering college students. Enrolling in our 3-credit UNIV 301 course will provide you with the skills, networks and confidence to land your dream job or internship.

Through this course, you'll work with industry leaders, build a professional network, learn the unwritten rules of the job search and gain hands-on experience - all while still in school. UNIV 301 helps you develop the critical skills employers seek, from public speaking to project management.

What Will I Experience in UNIV 301?

You'll be in a cohort with five to eight other Huskies from a variety of majors. This allows you to form connections outside your academic area.
Your leadership coach will help you identify and develop your strengths, overcome challenges and navigate your transition from college to the workforce or further education.
You and your teammates will complete a project for an external organization that you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile. These organizations have included the Chicago Bulls, Kindle Communications and United Airlines.
You'll develop a portfolio, resume and LinkedIn profile. You'll also gain interviewing and networking skills to give you the confidence to communicate effectively with potential employers.
You can apply to be paired with a mentor once you complete UNIV 301. They'll support you through your academic and professional career planning. You'll also have access to job boards and employment postings with Braven partners.

Register for the Course

Fall 2025 UNIV 301 course offerings:

Section 0001: Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (online)
Section 0002: Wednesday, 3-5:00 p.m. (online)
- Current students: talk with your advisor and enroll in UNIV 301 via MyNIU during your course registration period.
- New transfer students: add it to your class schedule when you attend orientation.

The people in my cohort are amazing and are always engaged during our Learning Labs. My Leadership Coach has helped provide feedback for my resume and has also stayed past class time to help me.

Jesika Pabello, Computer Science Major

Upcoming Braven info sessions and career workshops

Learn from Industry Leaders

Enrolling in UNIV 301: Leadership and Career Accelerator will give you the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals across a wide range of industries. Your Braven leadership coaches will serve as mentors, providing you with personalized guidance and insights to help you prepare for your future career.

Coaches who have led NIU cohorts include professionals from: