Braven

Overview

Braven - Bay Area

Braven at San José State University (SJSU) is a nationally recognized partnership designed to empower students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to launch strong careers after graduation. Since its founding at SJSU in 2014, Braven has supported nearly 2,000 undergraduates in developing the skills, confidence, and professional networks needed to secure quality first jobs or pursue graduate studies

Course Details

  • Course Name: SSCI 101: Leadership and Career Accelerator (formerly UNVS 101)
  • Units: 3 elective credits
  • Format: Hybrid (meets once weekly; combines in-person and online learning)
  • Eligibility: Open to all majors, with a focus on sophomores, juniors, and first-year transfer students.

Key Features

  • Professional Coaching: Each student (Braven Fellow) is matched with a leadership coach—often a professional from leading companies like LinkedIn, Google, or Facebook—who guides small cohorts through career development activities
  • Skill Development: The curriculum targets five core competencies essential for career success:
    Networking and communication
    Operating and managing
    Problem-solving
    Teamwork
    Self-driven leadership
  • Real-World Projects: Fellows collaborate on real-world problem-solving projects with local companies, building both hard and soft skills
  • Networking: Students expand their professional networks, connect with peers from other Braven partner universities, and gain access to employer partners such as Adobe, Deloitte, and Salesforce
  • Ongoing Support: After completing the course, Fellows join the Braven National Network for continued mentoring, resources, and career-building activities through graduation and beyond


Outcomes and Impact

  • Career Success: Braven Fellows at SJSU have a significantly higher rate of securing strong first jobs within six months of graduation compared to the national average (e.g., 54% in 2024, versus 45% of peers nationwide)
  • On-Time Graduation: Nearly all Braven Fellows persist toward timely graduation, with 96% continuing or completing their degrees
  • Internship Experience: Over 75% of Fellows complete at least one career-aligned internship before graduation, far exceeding national averages for first-generation students


Who Should Enroll?

Braven is ideal for students who want to:

  • Build leadership and professional skills
  • Gain mentorship from industry professionals
  • Develop a strong professional portfolio
  • Increase their chances of landing internships and quality jobs
  • Join a supportive, diverse community focused on career success


How to Join

Students can register for SSCI 101 through the regular course enrollment process. For more information, visit the SJSU Braven website or speak with an academic advisor