Senior Apparel Design and Manufacturing major Raegan McGuire landed a summer fashion internship with the contemporary women's brand, Milly, in New York City. With Raegan finishing her bachelor's degree later this month, the internship couldn't have come at a better time.

"I learned so much in just two short months of my internship," Raegan said. "Even with how much I learned at Texas Tech, there is only so much you can learn in the classroom. This experience prepared me not only for design and production operations but to be successful in a fast-paced work environment."

The highly-trusted styling and design aspects of her role were thrilling for Raegan. CEO of Milly, Michelle Smith, presented Raegan with the opportunity to dye the final garment for Ashley Bouder, a highly celebrated New York ballerina.

"She wanted it to resemble an ombre butterfly that she brought in as inspiration. I spent days planning and working on her dress. If that wasn't exciting enough, Michelle asked me to help Ashley Bouder to get ready the nights of her performance and gave me tickets so I could see my work on stage."

Milly offered Raegan more fashion design experience in areas of seasonal trend research, maintaining project samples, embroidery and print layouts, flat sketches, sewing projects, and the opportunity to work alongside team members on other departments like sales and marketing.

Raegan says she was convinced at a young age that fashion design was her calling. She taught herself to sew clothing in middle school and never looked back.

"It wasn't until after my internship that I realized how unique Texas Tech University's program really is. Most schools will concentrate on only the creative side of the design process or even let their students outsource their sewing projects. At Texas Tech we learn how to flat pattern, drape, and construct our own garments."

Raegan noticed a difference in her coursework knowledge when working with other Milly interns, aspects which solidified her confidence in how well prepared she felt to enter the field.

"There are countless things that I learned at Texas Tech that my fellow interns were not taught in their design programs. This gives us a huge advantage because we know every step in creating and producing a successful collection."

Raegan was asked to extend her internship with Milly. Many current employees once interned with the company as well, so the future is looking bright for Raegan. Reflecting on all that she's learned so far in her internship, Raegan offers her peers a piece of advice.

"The most import lesson is to speak up. The Ashley Bouder dress was not originally my project to work on, but one day I went in early to let them know I would love the opportunity to work on it. I explained that I took surface design at Texas Tech and was confident in my skills. This not only abled me to take over this project but many more to follow because I earned their trust."