Build the skills, confidence, and connections to land a strong job after college.
What Is Braven?
Illinois Tech is partnering with Braven, a national organization that helps college students land strong first jobs, internships, and opportunities after graduation. Starting Fall 2026, second and third-year students can enroll in BRVN 200: Braven Career Success — a 3-credit hybrid course that combines professional skill-building, team collaboration, and real-world employer projects into one semester.
This isn’t a lecture course. You’ll work in groups, guided by a Leadership Coach — a working professional who brings real-world perspective into every session. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a professional portfolio, interview-ready skills, and a network that supports you through graduation and beyond.
How It Connects to Elevate
The Braven Career Success course qualifies as an option to fulfill either a required or optional Elevate experience. It also satisfies the required career component for students in the Chicago Difference and Hope Chicago scholarship programs. If you’re looking for a single experience that checks multiple boxes on your Elevate checklist, this is it.
Ask your Elevate Student Success Coach for details on how Braven fits into your specific requirements.
What You’ll Do
The course is built in three phases: Design Your Career, Launch Your Career, and the Capstone Challenge. Throughout the semester you’ll create a strong resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile; develop professional skills through mock interviews, networking, and team projects; build community and confidence alongside ambitious peers; and complete a team-based capstone project with a real local employer, presenting solutions to a panel of professionals.
You’ll also complete the “Find My Ikigai” exercise — a framework that helps you explore the intersection of what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what careers align with both. Even if you haven’t declared a major, this course helps you figure out what fits.
Course Details
Course: BRVN 200 — Braven Career Success Credits: 3 (counts toward your undergraduate degree and GPA) Format: Hybrid — primarily virtual with three in-person sessions Semester: Fall 2026 only Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors (no declared major required)
Section 1: Wednesdays, 5:00–7:00 PM
Section 2: Thursdays, 3:15–5:15 PM
Weekly commitment includes a 2-hour synchronous Learning Lab, 90–120 minutes of online modules, weekly portfolio submissions, and one 1:1 conversation with your Leadership Coach.
What Students Are Saying
“Braven helped me better understand how to present myself as a strong, purpose-driven candidate. I learned how to articulate my story in a way that highlights my strengths and values.” — AB Soneye, Spring 2024 Braven Fellow
“Braven pushed me out of my comfort zone to attend networking events and solidify my pitch. Having this as a backbone to start any professional connection was important, as it made me confident in the applicant I was for an internship, fellowship, or when searching in the job market.” — Alanis Omar, Spring 2024 Braven Fellow
“The preparation I received through Braven directly contributed to me landing internships in my field of study. Without Braven, I might not have had the same level of preparedness or clarity in my career direction, which helped me land a strong first job.” — AB Soneye, Spring 2024 Braven Fellow
It Doesn’t End When the Course Does
After you complete the course, Braven supports you through graduation with professional mentors in your desired career field, a biweekly newsletter with referrals to internships and jobs in your field, access to up to two Career Communities spanning STEM, Health and Wellness, Business, Arts and Media, Public Service, and Explorers, virtual and in-person career events including skill-building workshops and employer office visits, and the Ready-to-Launch bootcamp during senior year for hands-on job application support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible? Sophomores and juniors. You do not need a declared major to enroll.
When is it offered? Fall semesters only. If you have scheduling conflicts with one section, consider registering for the other day.
Does it affect my GPA? Yes. BRVN 200 is a 3-credit course that factors into your GPA. Due to the cohort model, full attendance and participation are expected. The course can only be taken once.
Will Braven place me in a job or internship? Braven is not a placement organization. Instead, they ensure you have the confidence, skills, experiences, and networks to apply and succeed on your own. Students also receive access to an opportunities newsletter and Braven’s exclusive Talent Directory.
How is this different from other courses? You won’t be sitting passively taking notes. You’ll be in a small group with a professional Leadership Coach, practicing the skills employers care about — communication, teamwork, problem-solving — in a setting where you get real feedback and improve quickly.
What’s expected in the virtual sessions? Camera on, active participation, and full engagement — just as you would in person. Minimizing distractions helps you get the most from your Leadership Coach and peers.
Get Started
Ready to enroll? Register for BRVN 200 through your student portal for Fall 2026.
Have questions? Reach out to your Elevate Student Success Coach or email elevate@illinoistech.edu.
Learn more at braven.org.
