Ruth first joined Expedia Group as an Intern in the summer of 2023, before returning to start on our Graduate Program in August 2024. And during her time at Expedia Group so far, Ruth has come to appreciate just how vital the People team is to the company’s culture and success.

In her role as a Recruiting Program Specialist within the Global Talent Acquisition team, Ruth plays a key part in the overall success of the People team function by ensuring candidates and new hires experience a smooth, welcoming journey from application to onboarding.

When it comes to her own experience as an employee, a crucial part of Ruth’s development and career focus have come from the great advice she has had from her mentor. Read more about the value of mentorship, and Ruth’s time at EG, below.

Ruth Addisu | Recruiting Program Specialist | Seattle, WA, USA

Tell us about your team and role.

During my time at EG, I’ve learned that the People team is truly the glue of the company. With various divisions such as talent acquisition, inclusion and diversity, learning and development, and HR operations there’s a diverse group of individuals, with unique skill sets, across the team. Within the People team we deeply value the connections we build across EG and work hard to maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all.

In my role as a Recruiting Program Specialist in the Global Talent Acquisition team, I coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including recruiters, sourcers, hiring managers, and others to ensure candidates applying to our job opportunities are scheduled and interviewed efficiently. My goal is to provide candidates and new hires with a smooth, stress-free, interview and onboarding experience.

Why did you decide to join Expedia Group?

What originally drew me to Expedia Group as an Intern, while I was at Seattle Pacific University, were the values: Go Get What’s Next and Choose Fearlessly. When I was applying to internships, I was incredibly nervous because I had no clear idea of the career path I wanted to pursue. But at EG, I never felt limited, I had the opportunity to explore and experiment thanks to gigs (rotations) and had a team that encouraged me to work on projects outside my direct role. Sure, I made some mistakes along the way, but instead of being reprimanded, I was supported and allowed to learn and grow from those experiences.

Do you have a mentor? How valuable has this connection been to your development?

As a student, I had no idea what I was getting into with corporate life. I was completely absorbed by imposter syndrome, something that probably affects most incoming interns. Luckily, the Expedia Group Mentor Program helped me find my footing and build my confidence. My manager was incredibly supportive, offering help with projects and resources when I needed them. But it was my mentor, during the Intern Program, who helped me understand my interests and long-term goals. They helped me to discover where I wanted to take my career, and importantly, how to get there. Even now, as a Graduate, I’ve had a new onboarding mentor who helped me get settled and connected me with others who could support my career growth by finding meaningful projects to focus on. I’m excited about the next steps in my career and have enjoyed my time on the Expedia Group Graduate Program so far.

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