Program Overview

Braven at NIU/UNIV 301

Braven at NIU/UNIV 301 is a leadership and career accelerator course open to all majors. This 3-credit course provides students with the skills, networks, and confidence to land their dream job or internship.

What Will I Experience in UNIV 301?

• You'll be in a cohort with five to eight other students from a variety of majors, allowing 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

Spring 2026 UNIV 301 course offerings:

• Section 0001: Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (online)
• Section 0002: Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (online)

Testimonial

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

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:

• Allstate
• Amazon
• Amtrak
• Blackbaud
• Google
• H&R Block
• IBM
• LinkedIn
• Lululemon
• Microsoft
• Nike
• Salesforce
• U.S. Air Force

Resources

• Braven/UNIV 301
• Huskie Closet
• Career Support for Huskie Alumni
• Exam Test Preparation
• Focus 2 Career Testing
• Graduate School Planning
• Steppingblocks Digital Career Counselor