When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.
We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.
Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.
We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.
This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.
Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.
We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.
Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.
Launch Your Career as a Future Analytics Leader
The Associate Lines of Defense Early Career Development Program is a selective 24-month development program designed to build the next generation of risk, compliance, controls, and audit talent at Sallie Mae. Through rotational experiences across key Lines of Defense functions, you'll develop the unique combination of business acumen, analytical thinking, risk awareness, and professional judgment needed to identify emerging risks, strengthen controls, support regulatory readiness, and influence sound business decisions.
As a member of the program, you'll work on meaningful projects that directly impact our customers, business performance, risk management practices, and strategic priorities. You'll gain exposure to multiple areas of the organization, participate in structured development opportunities, and build relationships with leaders and mentors who are invested in your success.
This program is designed for individuals who are curious, analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn how strong governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance practices support a healthy financial services organization. By the end of the experience, you'll have a strong foundation in the business, a practical understanding of the Lines of Defense model, and the skills needed to accelerate your career within Sallie Mae.
This opportunity is intended for students who will complete their Bachelor's or Master's degree between December 2026 and June 2027 and are available to begin full-time employment in June 2027 as part of our Early Career Development Program.
Complete three 8-month rotational assignments across key Lines of Defense groups. Each rotation is designed to strengthen your understanding of the business, develop your risk and controls mindset, and build the analytical and communication skills needed to help teams identify issues, evaluate processes, and drive meaningful improvements.
Learn how strong first-line controls help teams manage operational, process, and business risks before issues arise.
Support issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and control enhancement efforts
Enterprise Risk Management
Build a broader understanding of enterprise-wide risk frameworks, governance practices, and risk oversight across business lines.
Develop an understanding of the regulatory environment and how compliance programs help protect customers, the business, and Sallie Mae.
Gain exposure to independent assurance work that evaluates governance, risk management, and control effectiveness.
Assist with planning and executing audit procedures, including walkthroughs, testing, and documentation
Throughout the Program, You Will
What You Have - Required Qualifications
Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2027 with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant discipline such as Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, Data Science, Risk Management, Compliance, or a related field
Experience with SQL, Python, SAS, or similar programming languages through coursework, internships, research, or work experience
Ability to develop hypotheses, organize work, interpret results, and translate findings into actionable recommendations
Collaboration & Leadership Potential
Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, build strong working relationships, and contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Interest in building a career in risk management, compliance, controls, internal audit, governance, business analysis, or related fields
Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or work experience involving finance, business analysis, compliance, audit, risk management, controls, data analysis, or related disciplines
At Sallie Mae, you'll do more than learn about risk and controls—you'll help strengthen the practices that support our customers, business performance, and long-term success. Through hands-on work, mentorship, leadership exposure, and rotational experiences, you'll build the foundation to become a future leader in risk, compliance, controls, audit, or governance.
Launch your career. Build your expertise. Become a future Lines of Defense leader.
Competitive base salaries
Bonus incentives
Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed
Support for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer match
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more
Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance
Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs
Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)
Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives
Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs
Career development and training opportunities
Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!
