EQUALS International • Offered as part of your EQUALS experience, for eligible students at Diploma level and above
Graduate with more than a qualification. Stand out in the crowd.
The Graduate Excellence Program (GEP) is a guided journey that runs alongside your studies. With an EQUALS mentor by your side, you'll grow through reflection, dialogue and service, and be recognised at graduation with the Graduate Excellence Award.
Register your interestWhy join
Your edge, by design
We believe education is about more than what you know. It's about who you become and how your skills and knowledge find meaning in your vocation. The GEP walks alongside you as you grow in self-awareness, character and purpose, developing the very qualities our industry partners tell us matter most: initiative, drive, reliability and service excellence. Attitude and commitment, grown through genuine support and honest reflection.
A mentor in your corner
One-on-one conversations with a mentor who builds connection with you, sharpens your direction, and helps you build an evidence-backed answer to “tell me about yourself” that is ready for interviews and beyond.
Your Growth Journal
A beautifully designed personal journal, yours to keep. It's a private space to reflect, set goals and capture who you're becoming.
Skills employers can't find
Learn to lead, solve problems and engage with people of diverse backgrounds and views, and hold difficult conversations well, all practised in real dialogue circles.
Recognition that's visible
The Graduate Excellence Award and digital badge, presented at graduation for your portfolio, CV and LinkedIn.
The GEP
Four pillars, your pace
Built on the seven EQUALS Graduate Attributes, the GEP runs quietly alongside your course. Everything fits around study and work: two to three hours per month of contact time, plus your journalling.
Pillar 1Reflect
Use your EQUALS Growth Journal to explore who you are and who you're becoming, in your own time and completely private.
Pillar 2Engage
Meet your mentor once each study period to bounce ideas, shape goals and go deeper.
Pillar 3Consult
Join dialogue circles on real issues in our community and our world, and learn to discuss hard things well.
Pillar 4Contribute
Give a minimum of 10 hours of voluntary service across your course. In many cases your work placement activities can count.
How it works
Your journey to the stage
- Opt inEmail us and take a few minutes to tell us why you're interested.
- BeginReceive your Growth Journal orientation and meet your mentor.
- GrowJournal, mentor conversations, dialogue circles and service, all at your own pace.
- Shape your storyWith your mentor, explore personal growth strategies and goals, and build connections that support who you're becoming.
- ShineDeliver your capstone presentation, then receive your Graduate Excellence Award and digital badge at graduation.
Keeping it real
What it isn't
The GEP is voluntary and unassessed. There are no exams, no assignments and no grades, and nothing is added to your course workload. Mentoring is a guided conversation about your growth and ideas, not counselling or therapy. You choose to opt in and set your own pace.
A limited number of places exist each academic year
Register your interest
Send us a quick email. That's it. We'll come back to you with your next steps and the date of the next dialogue circle.
Include:
- Your full name
- Your EQI number
- A brief message about why you'd like to join
Register your interest and start the conversation.
Questions
Frequently asked
Who is eligible?
The GEP is open to students enrolled in a Diploma level qualification or higher who are in good standing. Eligibility and admission are at EQUALS' discretion, and a limited number of places exist each academic year.
How much time does it really take?
Around two to three hours per month of contact time: your mentor conversation each study period and the monthly dialogue circle. Add your journalling in your own time and a minimum of 10 hours of voluntary service across your whole course.
Can I join mid-course?
Yes. The GEP meets you where you are, whatever stage of your diploma, degree or postgraduate study you've reached.
What if I don't finish?
Nothing happens. There are no penalties, and everything you did still counts for you: the mentoring, the skills, the reflections.
Who sees my journal?
Only you. You choose what to share in mentoring conversations and in your final presentation.
Does it cost anything?
No. The GEP is offered as part of your EQUALS experience, for eligible students enrolled in a Diploma level qualification or higher.
What do employers actually see?
Your Graduate Excellence Award alongside your qualification, your capstone story ready for interviews, and a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile.
