Rutgers University-Newark Expands Partnership with Braven to Empower Nearly 400 Students for Career Success

Rutgers University-Newark and Braven, a national non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students for career success, is committed to significantly expanding its partnership. With the start of the fall semester, Rutgers University-Newark sophomores and transfer juniors will be pre-enrolled in Braven’s college-to-career preparation program. This initiative will provide nearly three times as many students with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to launch thriving careers annually.

The expanded partnership builds upon the success of Braven’s existing program at Rutgers University-Newark, which has demonstrated significant impact on student outcomes. By making the program more accessible to sophomores and transfer juniors, Rutgers University-Newark and Braven are taking a proactive step to ensure that an increased number of students are equipped with the tools necessary to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

“Rutgers University-Newark is committed to providing our students with the support and resources they need to succeed both academically and professionally,” said Jeffrey Robinson, Rutgers University-Newark Interim Chancellor. “Our partnership with Braven is a crucial component of our efforts to prepare students for successful careers and to make a positive impact on our community.”

Braven’s program combines academic coursework with hands-on professional development, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and career coaching. Students will develop critical skills such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership, while also gaining valuable experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Rutgers University-Newark and expand the number of sophomores and transfer juniors that Braven serves,” said Samantha Crockett, Braven Newark Executive Director. “By providing early and comprehensive career preparation, we are empowering students to reach their full potential and become leaders in their communities.”

The Career Resources & Exploration department at Rutgers University-Newark will play an integral role in supporting the program and ensuring that students take full advantage of the opportunities offered by Braven.

"Having grown up in Newark and working at Rutgers for over two decades, I'm deeply committed to helping our students achieve their full potential,” noted Toi Tyson, Executive Director and Assistant Dean of Career Resources and Exploration at Rutgers-Newark. “By providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed, including our partnership with Braven, we're not just shaping their careers; we're contributing to the revitalization of our community."

Rutgers-Newark Braven Fellows like Keila Villanueva and John-Marc Attis were able to develop the skills, confidence and networks to launch their careers. “My Braven experience at Rutgers-Newark transformed me from a hopeful graduate into a confident job seeker,” said Rutgers University-Newark graduate Keila Villanueva. “It equipped me with the essential tools to craft compelling resumes, ace interviews, and build meaningful professional networks."

"Braven emphasized the significance of networking as a catalyst for career growth,” said Rutgers University-Newark graduate John-Marc Attis. “Combined with the development of strong interviewing skills and the creation of a compelling professional portfolio, I feel well-prepared to navigate the job market."

Here are additional statistics for Braven Fellows: 

●    In 2023, 238 Braven Fellows earned a bachelor’s degree from RU-N. This new class is outpacing their peers nationally in quality opportunity attainment by 25 percentage points (68% vs 43%) within six months of graduation. As a result, 96% of this graduating class is employed and/or in graduate school.
●    76% of RU-N Braven graduates nationally are already outearning their parents at the same age in their first job out of college. By comparison, by age 30, Americans have a 50-50 shot of out-earning their parents, according to statistics.
●    This summer, Rutgers University-Newark and Braven launched the Capitol Hill Summer Policy Internship with the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, providing even more opportunities for our students. For eight weeks, four Rutgers-Newark students supported a New Jersey Congressperson in DC this summer.