If you think working in the fashion industry is a "Devil Wears Prada" experience, Katherine Knetzer could change your mind. The senior Fashion Merchandising major just returned from a summer internship in New York working with fashion powerhouse Versace.

Katherine heard about the internship while studying at the Paris Fashion Institute in the summer of 2007. One of her friends had interned at Versace the previous fall, and when Katherine heard about the opportunity, she applied. According to the HRSM student, the internship and resume classes she had taken at USC helped her land the internship by teaching her how to write an outstanding resume.

"You could be the most wonderful, hardworking person ever, but you'll never get your foot in the door if your resume doesn't stand out," says Katherine.

Katherine's internship was as the assistant to Lisa Hellman, vice president of communications and public relations at Versace. Her daily tasks included packing samples and taking care of invoices and company expenses, but Katherine's two big projects were helping with the Whitney Gala and the Pre Spring Woman's Runway.

For the Pre-Spring Woman's Runway, Katherine volunteered herself to work on a Saturday and organize pieces of clothing with photographs, numbers and models to ensure everything was in order.

"The day went smoothly, except there was a little glitch in the boutique's elevator when Vogue editor Anna Wintour was in it," says Katherine. "That was a nightmare."

Katherine's major project was helping Hellman prepare for the Whitney Gala, a large event benefiting the Whitney Museum. Since Hellman is in charge of the entire event, Katherine assisted with many different tasks. She helped organize the guest and press lists, prepared pamphlets for major meetings and took notes during strategy meetings.

One new skill that Katherine learned was how to use Fashion GPS, a device used to keep track of samples that are sent to magazines, photo shoots or celebrities. Fashion GPS allows designers and their employees to know where a sample is at all times and when to expect it back. Katherine got so familiar with Fashion GPS that she was even able to share her knowledge with more experienced Versace employees.

"I actually taught people in positions above me a little about Fashion GPS and now everyone is fully trained and using the program," says Katherine.

Although Katherine has always loved Fashion Merchandising, she did learn more about herself and her future goals while working in New York.

"I learned I want to do something creative with my career and also that being organized and working hard are the keys to success," says Katherine, who ultimately aspires to be a designer and own a boutique.

Katherine also learned an important lesson about the fashion industry: it's not as scary as it seems on TV.

"Most people have this idea that people in fashion are ruthless and mean, but I've worked with some of the sweetest, smartest and greatest people I've ever met," says Katherine. "It was a pleasure to come to work every day and be a part of that family."