Bold and adaptive graduates are needed to address current and emerging environmental health threats. While educators prepare graduates with knowledge, skills and values, career readiness is enhanced through educators partnering purposefully with employers to provide optimal work placement experiences. Negotiated placements cater for the integration of university-acquired training with workplace experiences that provide exposure to people, procedures and priorities. A transitional model will be presented where educators coach students to plan around their individual professional development needs, and workplace mentors utilise an innovative placement framework that ensures sufficient breadth, structure and consistency, while catering for personal styles and student needs.