Associate – Early Career Development Program

What You'll Contribute

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'lldevelop the unique combination of business acumen, analytical thinking, risk awareness, and professional judgment needed toidentifyemerging risks, strengthen controls, support regulatory readiness, and influence sound business decisions.

As a member of the program,you'llwork on meaningful projects that directlyimpactour customers, business performance, risk management practices, and strategic priorities.You'llgain exposure to multiple areas of the organization,participatein 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'llhavea strong foundationin 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 theirBachelor's or Master'sdegree 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 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 teamsidentifyissues, evaluate processes, and drive meaningful improvements.

Business Controls

Learn how strong first-line controls help teams manage operational, process, and business risks before issues arise.

• Evaluate business practices, processes, and controls toidentifypotential risk areas and improvement opportunities

• Support issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and control enhancement efforts

• Partner with business teams to strengthen accountability, process discipline, and risk awareness

• Document observations, recommendations, and progress in a clear, action-oriented manner

Enterprise Risk Management

Build a broader understanding of enterprise-wide risk frameworks, governance practices, and risk oversight across business lines.

• Support analysis of key business processes, emerging risks, and control environments

• Contribute to assessments thatidentifygaps, trends, and opportunities to reduce risk exposure

• Assistwith risk reporting, governance materials, and leadership-ready insights

• Learn how enterprise risk practices inform strategic decisions and support responsible growth

Compliance

Develop an understanding of the regulatory environment and how compliance programs help protect customers, the business, and Sallie Mae.

• Research regulatory expectations and help assess how they apply to business processes

• Support compliance monitoring, testing, issue tracking, and reporting activities

• Translate complex information into clear insights that help inform leadership decision-making

• Build awareness of consumer finance, operational compliance, and regulatory risk considerations

Internal Audit

Gain exposure to independent assurance work that evaluates governance, risk management, and control effectiveness.

• Assistwith planning and executing audit procedures, including walkthroughs, testing, and documentation

• Analyze evidence,identifythemes, and summarize findings in a clear and professional manner

• Support reporting that helps leadership understand risks, control gaps, and recommended actions

• Develop professional skepticism, attention to detail, and sound judgment through hands-on audit work

Throughout the Program, You Will

• Solve meaningful business problems through risk-based, analytical, and process-oriented thinking

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

• Communicate findings and recommendations through presentations, reporting, and concise business writing

• 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 between December 2026 and June 2027 with aBachelor's or Master'sdegree in a relevant discipline such as Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, Data Science, Risk Management, Compliance, 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 evaluate information,identifytrends, and solve complex or ambiguous business problems

• Ability to develop hypotheses, organize work, interpret results, and translate findings into actionable recommendations

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and professionally to a range of audiences

• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and documentation skills

Collaboration & Leadership Potential

• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and willingness to learn

• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, build strong working relationships, and contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

• Strong interpersonal skills and interest in developing leadership capability

Attention to Detail

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

Growth Mindset

• Curiosity, resilience, professionalism, and enthusiasm for continuous learning

• Interest in building a career in risk management, compliance, controls, internal audit, governance, business analysis, or related fields

Preferred Experience

• Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or work experience involving finance, business analysis, compliance, audit, risk management, controls, data analysis, or related disciplines

• Exposure to analytical tools, reporting, process improvement, or documentation practices is a plus

Why Join Sallie Mae?

At Sallie Mae,you'lldo more than learn about risk and controls—you'llhelp strengthen the practices that support our customers, business performance, and long-term success. Through hands-on work, mentorship, leadership exposure, and rotational experiences,you'llbuild the foundation to become a future leader in risk, compliance, controls, audit, or governance.

Launch your career. Build yourexpertise. Become a future Lines of Defense leader.