Inefficient Operations but Overall Great Place to Work (Newton Office) - Senior UX/UI Designer Sallie Mae Employee Review

4.0
Apr 5, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work life balance is great in the Newton Office. Managers understand you are humans first, that are working to live, not living to work. Managers for the Newton office fiercely advocate for their teams' development, growth, and time. The quality of the people are fantastic.

Cons

Digital organization could be more efficient and less siloed in terms of how work starts, is designed, then developed, but as someone who has been here for nearly 4 years, I see this improving with the recent customer experience leadership changes. Projects are often tabled after months of work due to inefficiencies, technical, or legal issues. Teams could be more involved from the start; despite an agile environment sometimes feels waterfall.

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Sallie Mae Response
3y
It is not every day that we receive feedback as detailed and thoughtful as yours. Trust us when we say it does not go unnoticed. Your feedback has given us valuable insight into the culture we are trying to create within our company.

Explore other reviews about Sallie Mae

5.0
Jul 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Supportive colleagues, collaborative culture, meaningful learning opportunities, and strong career development. I've had the opportunity to grow professionally, take on new challenges, and work with people who genuinely want to help each other succeed.

Cons

As the company evolves, priorities and processes can change quickly, requiring flexibility and adaptability.

4.0
May 1, 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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