This PVAMU grad is using his new master’s degree to maximize residents’ quality of life in his hometown

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 22, 2024) - Recent Prairie View A&M University graduate Eli Washington '24 is back in his hometown of Missouri City, Texas, after earning his Master of Community Development on May 11.

Washington, 26, is now the Economic Development Manager for the city where he grew up.

In his position, he is focused on the city's economic well-being and enhancing quality of life through engagement initiatives, project management, business recruitment, policy implementation, and more.

His career has been a path of following his interests.

"Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated with the built environment of the world around us and how it came to be," Washington said. "I used to draw neighborhoods and fully conceptualized communities on lined notebook paper; this may be described as amateur urban planning and design, but I certainly didn't know what to call it at the time."

After exploring related fields, such as real estate, architecture, and engineering, he ultimately decided on construction management.

Washington holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

After graduating from undergrad, he worked as a construction manager before making his way to Prairie View to further his education and career.

Washington is thankful for the master's program's multifaceted approach, ensuring candidates are exposed to the industry early on.

"The final project for my Community Development Finance course required me to speak to a public official and get their feedback on a proposed comprehensive plan for their community," he said. "From there, I got the chance to present my ideas for a city-wide comprehensive plan to city department directors, city council, the city manager and have been closely involved in the community since then."

Washington attributes the growth of his skills to the PVAMU program's multifaceted degree plan, exposure to diverse communities, and service-learning experiences, which helped strengthen his passions and define his areas of focus in the profession.

"While in college, I learned a ton about construction in general and was able to complete two different internships in the construction industry: one in residential homebuilding and one as an owner's representative," Washington said. "Over time, I learned that I was doing a lot of what I love, but there was still a chance to be more involved in the bigger picture; I wanted to help owners decide where, what, and when they should build their next project. This meant that my mindset was transitioning from a construction perspective into a broader development role that would cover all phases of the project lifecycle, including conception, planning, design, construction, and potentially even the lease-out of a project."

That put him on the path toward a master's degree in community development.

While earning his degree, he was also able to explore his interests in community planning and economic development by participating in several academic programs and competitions, including Research Incubator 2022: The Future of Cities hosted by Payne Center for Social Justice; 2023 ULI Hines Student Urban Design Competition; 2023 ULI Graduate Mentorship Program; and the 2023 CBRE HBCU Bootcamp.

With his master's degree, Washington aims to positively impact how American suburban communities influence the role of planning and development within the overall fabric of society.

"I plan on using my PVAMU degree in my life by applying the coursework and service-learning experiences to assess the social, physical, and economic issues in the community and provide creative and sustainable solutions that maximize the potential for quality of life," he said.

For students currently in the PVAMU Community Development Program, Washington's advice is to first determine your area of interest and focus on a specific area of the profession. This way, students can take advantage of the many opportunities available, from scholarships to fellowships to research grants, internships, mentorships, conferences, and networking events.

"Make as many genuine connections as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance," he added. "Most people would love to assist a student in achieving their dreams if they know what they want and show the initiative."

To graduates now job hunting, Washington had further words of wisdom: "Find a job that will give you the key experience you'll need for your career in the long-term."

Washington has followed his own advice: "Some may say that it would be best to find a job that will give you the lifestyle you want, but I feel that starting out in your career, it is much more important to develop your skills, figure out what you do and do not like about employers, and be paid a livable wage. Once you gain the experience you need to grow into the next level of your career, you can then focus on how to support your desired lifestyle by leveraging your acquired experience in your next position."

By Christine Won

-PVAMU-

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