Pratt Institute Construction Management Success Story

Elijah Rayford, a 2025 graduate of Pratt Institute’s Construction Management program, considered many things when picking a college—location, reputation, and community.

Pratt stood out with its history, beautiful campus, and a network of 65,000 alumni who influenced the creative economy and made an impact in New York City and beyond.

Rayford chose the Construction Management program because he wanted to create spaces that matter. “Buildings aren’t just concrete and steel,” he said.

“You’re creating spaces for memories. I want to make an impact—maybe a favorite park, museum, or someone’s first apartment.”

Embracing the City

Moving to Brooklyn from Arizona at 17 was exciting. Rayford used his philosophy of the 5 Ps—Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance—to navigate college life.

Many classes were at Pratt’s Manhattan campus, and he explored the city on his subway rides.

“I let places find me,” he said. “I’d hop off the train, walk around, and discover coffee shops, thrift stores, and parks. Brooklyn Bridge Park is my favorite—serene and calming.”

Learning Construction from the Ground Up

Rayford appreciated small class sizes, which allowed him to ask questions and get personal guidance from professors with real industry experience.

He studied building renovation and restoration, learned about New York City’s Landmarks Law, zoning, and building codes, and became skilled with project management, estimating, and scheduling software.

He also learned about materials like concrete, steel, and wood through classes, lab visits, and job site trips.

“What I love is that nothing is face value,” he said. “Concrete behaves differently if it’s for a patio versus a wall slab.”

In his second and third years, Rayford traveled to Kufstein, Austria, for the WinterSchool international competition. Teams created redevelopment and sustainability plans for the local neighborhood. Rayford discovered his talent for leading projects.

“I learned I could manage a group and guide everyone,” he said. “Being a construction manager is about using everyone’s strengths.”

Applying Knowledge to Real Projects

Later classes in real estate development and project management taught him about financial and logistical challenges.

His senior project focused on a proposal for the Hollow Fields comfort station on Staten Island, letting him put budgeting, scheduling, and sustainability planning into action.

Leadership Beyond the Classroom

Rayford also contributed to campus life as a student leader and resident advisor. Inspired by his 5 Ps philosophy, he worked to improve services, such as ARC operating hours, studio resources, and shared residential spaces.

He served on the food committee, conducted surveys, and supported athletics to strengthen the campus community.

“If I could attend a game, I would be there—soccer, basketball, volleyball. Even if only for ten minutes, I went to support the teams,” he said.

Launching a Career

His capstone project prepared him for real-world challenges. He managed staffing charts, schedules, costs, site logistics, and safety planning, using tools like Primavera, Procore, and Excel.

After graduation, Rayford interned at Gardiner & Theobald, a real estate project and cost management consultancy.

He worked as a project and cost management intern, gaining hands-on experience and responsibility.

“The internship was everything I hoped for,” he said. “I learned, contributed, and enjoyed the supportive company culture.”

By the end of his internship, Rayford received a full-time job offer, ready to continue making an impact in construction management.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: The writer is a real estate journalist specializing in all types of New York City properties, including luxury residences, commercial spaces, and homes.

He also writes humorous articles about real estate, investors, and realtors.