“My time at Expedia Group has not just been about professional growth but also personal development. The experience has left a lasting impression and I am excited about the future, armed with the skills and memories I gained during this incredible internship.”

Kunal Nayyar, Machine Learning Engineer Intern, started his journey as an Intern in our Gurgaon office in June 2024. Before completing the program, Kunal shared the challenges, and the growth opportunities, he experienced during the internship that helped to “kickstart” his corporate career. Learn more about the Intern Program here.

Kunal Nayyar, Machine Learning Engineer Intern, Gurgaon, India

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The Nervous Start

Entering the corporate world for the first time was nerve-wracking. Yet, Expedia Group made the transition smooth and welcoming. The friendliness of the Emerging Talent & Careers team, combined with the support from my friends and family, helped ease my nerves. The campus recruitment process was straightforward and encouraging, culminating in an onboarding process that included a challenging coding test and multiple interview rounds. These rounds tested our problem-solving skills, understanding of data structures and algorithms, and interpersonal abilities. It was intense but incredibly rewarding, laying a solid foundation for my internship.

From Academia to Corporate Reality

After studying for three years at Delhi Technological University, diligently maintaining my GPA, working on various projects, and writing a research paper, I thought I was well-prepared for the professional world. However, stepping into my corporate role at Expedia Group was a reality check. I thought I knew Git, I assumed I could write production-ready code, I believed I understood the importance of comprehensive documentation, and so on. However, my time at Expedia Group illuminated that I had knowledge gaps and really helped my development in these areas, particularly thanks to having really valuable mentorship and being in a supportive team.

Meeting My Manager and Team

On my second day, I met my manager, whose warmth and approachability immediately put me at ease. He introduced me to the team, and I was given the exciting option to choose my project. I chose Langfuse, aligning with my previous experience and interests. From day one I felt like an integral part of the team. I was included in every meeting, debugging session, outing, and conversation. This inclusivity made me feel like a full-time employee, rather than an intern. My manager’s initiative of having “unblocking” meetings, where we could discuss any work impediments and seek help from teammates, fostered a collaborative and positive environment.

Working Environment and Infrastructure

The work environment at Expedia Group is nothing short of impressive. With curved screen monitors, adjustable-height desks, and private one-on-one meeting rooms, the infrastructure is designed to maximize productivity, accessibility, and comfort. This setup, along with the supportive and engaging atmosphere, played a significant role in my growth, both personally and professionally.

Tackling My Project: Langfuse

Diving into my project, Langfuse, was both challenging and exhilarating. The service we were building was aimed at helping Expedia Group’s internal clients manage their LLM orchestrations more effectively. My contribution involved developing a wrapper script tailored to EG’s needs. This required extensive research and interactions with the co-founders of Langfuse, providing me with deeper insights and a hands-on learning experience. Seeing my work directly impact the project and receiving feedback from real users was incredibly rewarding.

Memorable Highlights

One of the most memorable aspects of my internship was interacting with Langfuse’s clients, particularly machine learning scientists. Their feedback, and the challenges they faced, provided invaluable real-world insights that influenced the features I developed. Meeting people from different colleges and learning about the journeys that brought them to Expedia Group also broadened my perspective and enriched my experience. Despite it being a hybrid remote and in-office work model, the engaging environment and strong team bonds motivated me to be there almost every day for the entire eight weeks.

Building Connections and Skills

Even with a packed schedule, there was plenty of time to build connections with my colleagues. From collaborative work sessions to playing games and attending social events, the internship was filled with opportunities to forge meaningful relationships. Sharing my knowledge with other interns, helping them overcome challenges, and learning from them in return, made the experience even more enriching. This collaborative spirit underscored the importance of teamwork and community in professional growth.

Reflecting on the Experience

Looking back, my internship at Expedia Group was a transformative journey. The professionalism, camaraderie, and innovative spirit at EG made it an ideal place to kickstart my corporate career. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and the significant role EG has played in shaping me into a better software engineer. I’m very grateful to Abhishek Kumar, Ravi Maurya, and Rahul Kapoor, who supported me at every step, and to my manager Manish Dewan, who fostered such a connected and supportive team environment. Not to sound cliché, but the team genuinely felt like a family. This experience has been profoundly impactful, and I am glad I had the chance to intern at such a distinguished company.

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