Pros
I worked for Sallie Mae for almost four years back when headquarters were located in Reston. At the time, the company offered a very flexible work-life balance, with the option to work from home as needed and casual Fridays. Sallie Mae was a well managed, organized, and structured place to work despite the constant grappling that occurred with the federal government over the student loan business. The best part about going into work everyday were the people. Most people I worked with were incredibly genuine, down to earth, and efficient in their roles. It was never a very stressful environment even though the company went through some rollercoaster rides during my time there.
Cons
There is no real performance management that takes place at Sallie Mae and people are given promotions based on popularity. There seemed to be little innovation within the groups I worked for.