UNIV 301/Braven at NIU

Jumpstart your future with our leadership and career accelerator course.

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

Braven's Proven Approach

Students who enroll in this course gain access to transformative benefits that set them up for long-term success. From personalized mentorship by industry-leading professionals to hands-on learning experiences, the course is designed to help our students develop the critical competencies employers seek and is open to all majors. 

What will I experience in UNIV 301?

• You can choose from online or hybrid synchronous course sections. 
• You'll be on a team with five to eight other Huskies from a variety of majors. This allows you to connect with and 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. Past 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 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.

About Braven

Braven is a non-profit organization that empowers first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color with the skills, networks, experience and confidence necessary to land a strong job or internship. NIU is one of just 8 colleges and universities across the country that have formed a partnership with Braven.

Register for the Course

Fall 2024 Course Sections and Modalities

• Section 0001: Tuesdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (online)
• Section 0002: Wednesdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (online)
• Section 0003: Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. (hybrid)

• Current students: Be sure to talk to 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.