A good experience before layoffs - Anonymous employee Sallie Mae Employee Review

4.0
27 Nov 2011
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked with a great group of people. There was no "dead weight." Everyone was smart and focused. It was a good atmosphere until layoffs started. People were focused on doing a good job overall and teamwork was the norm in my department. That said, there have been a lot of changes and most of my coworkers are no longer with company.

Cons

At the time that I left the company they were letting go of many people due to a reorganization after the federal government pulled the origination of student loans back inhouse. The communication about job status, layoffs, changes etc was terrible. It felt like even HR hadn't been briefed. Change management was really needed.

Explore other reviews about Sallie Mae

5.0
9 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The work culture is quite chill and results-focused. The office space is also quite decent.

Cons

Being a bank, it’s highly regulated so everything we do must go through a thorough compliance review.

4.0
1 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- I genuinely enjoy the people I work with, and that goes a long way. The culture feels supportive and respectful, not cutthroat. - The company regularly asks for feedback through “Pulse Check" surveys—and it doesn’t feel like they disappear into a black hole. - Strong focus on work-life balance with real resources to back it up. - Fun, engaging activities like desk holiday bay decorating, chili cook-offs, and the Sneaker Ball help break up the work routine. - Encourages professional growth with free LinkedIn Learning, support from department heads, and side-by-side learning opportunities. - Hybrid work is a plus. I remember when remote work was a pipe dream, so I don’t take that flexibility for granted. - Just hit my 3-year anniversary and got increased PTO—always a nice milestone. I plan to be here for the long haul. - Final thought: I’ve yet to find a perfect company, but I can honestly say Sallie Mae is close enough. I hate to sound like a marketing campaign, but a happy employee is just a happy employee—and that’s how I feel here.

Cons

- Like most places, it’s not perfect. Processes can always be improved, and some things move slower than you’d like. - Pay feels fair, not amazing—but not something I’m upset about either. I don’t know many jobs that pay “enough,” honestly. - If you’re looking for a flashy startup vibe, this might feel more steady than exciting.

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