Associate, Analytics - Early Career Development Program

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.

What You'll Contribute

Launch Your Career as a Future Analytics Leader

The Associate Analytics Early Career Development Program is a selective 24-month development program designed to build the next generation of analytics talent at Sallie Mae. Through rotational experiences across Business , Credit , Marketing and Data Analytics, you'll develop the unique combination of business acumen, analytical thinking, and technical expertise needed to solve complex challenges and influence key business decisions.

As a member of the program, you'll work on meaningful projects that directly impact our customers, business performance, 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, and eager to learn. By the end of the experience, you'll have a strong foundation in both business and data analytics, a deep understanding of the business, 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.

What You'll Do

Complete three 8-month rotational assignments across our key Analytics groups . Each rotation is designed to strengthen your business knowledge, technical capabilities, and ability to translate data into meaningful business outcomes.

Business & Credit Analytics

Learn how analytics drives business performance, customer outcomes, and risk management decisions.

You will:

• Analyze business performance, customer behavior, and portfolio trends to identify opportunities and inform decision-making

• Evaluate credit and risk performance to support lending and portfolio management strategies

• Generate insights and recommendations that influence business strategy, customer outcomes, and operational performance

• Partner with business leaders to solve complex challenges and deliver measurable results

Data Analytics

Build the technical foundation needed to transform data into insights and business value.

You will:

• Utilize tools such as SQL, Python, and Power BI to analyze, visualize, and interpret data

• Develop dashboards, reporting solutions, and analytical products that support decision-making

• Apply forecasting, statistical analysis, and modeling techniques to solve business challenges

• Identify opportunities to automate processes, improve data quality, and enhance analytics capabilities

• Gain exposure to modern analytics tools, technologies, and emerging data practices

Throughout the Program, You Will

• Solve meaningful business problems using data and analytics

• Develop technical, analytical, and consulting skills through hands-on experience

• Communicate insights and recommendations through presentations, dashboards, and data storytelling

• Partner with stakeholders across multiple functions and business areas

• Participate in mentorship, networking, and leadership development opportunities

• Gain exposure to senior leaders and strategic business initiatives

• Join a cohort of high-performing early-career professionals committed to learning, growth, and collaboration

What You Have - Required Qualifications

Education

• Expected graduation in May 2027 with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a quantitative discipline such as Data Analytics, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Finance, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field

Technical Skills

• Experience with SQL, Python, SAS, or similar programming languages through coursework, internships, research, or work experience

• Exposure to Power BI or other data visualization tools is a plus

Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and solve complex problems

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate complex ideas and analytical insights to both technical and non-technical audiences .

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills

Collaboration & Leadership Potential :

• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and a willingness to learn

• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and build strong working relationships

• Strong interpersonal skills and a desire to contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Attention to Detail

• Commitment to accuracy, quality, and delivering high-value work

Growth Mindset

• Curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm for continuous learning

• Interest in building a career in analytics, business intelligence, data, strategy, marketing, risk management, or related fields

Preferred Experience

• Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or work experience involving analytics, data analysis, business intelligence, reporting, financial analysis, or related discipline s

Why Join Sallie Mae?

At Sallie Mae, you'll do more than analyze data- you'll help solve meaningful business challenges while developing the skills, experiences, and relationships that prepare you for long-term success. Through hands-on work, mentorship, leadership exposure, and rotational experiences, you'll build the foundation to become a future analytics leader.

Launch your career. Build your expertise . Become a future analytics leader.

Feeling your best helps you do your best:

Our benefits take care of the whole you-so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• 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!

Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.