What's the Company Culture Like at Optum?

Optum’s culture is built on inclusivity, openness, and a belief that great ideas can come from anywhere. By fostering an environment where employees feel heard and valued, the organization encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This emphasis on psychological safety and shared contribution helps individuals grow while strengthening the collective impact of teams.

“The open minded culture over here has been the cornerstone of my growth. Ideas count, no matter where or who they come from.”

What would you tell someone considering applying to your company?

I genuinely love working here. The people are incredibly encouraging and truly want to see you succeed. You’re surrounded by teammates and leaders who support your growth and you get to be part of work that feels meaningful and impactful. It’s an environment where you’re challenged in the right ways and supported along your journey. 

At a company this large, there’s a huge amount of opportunity to explore different paths and build new skills. There are many internal roles and areas you can move into, but even within my current role, I’ve been able to do a wide variety of things. I’m a software engineer by title, but I’ve also had the opportunity to create and maintain a podcast, develop marketing materials and host panels. People really encourage you to lean into your strengths while also building new ones. I’ve only been here about eight months and I’ve already been able to grow in ways I didn’t expect.

What surprised you after joining?

After joining Optum, I was honestly surprised by how much opportunity there is to grow. It’s not just something that’s talked about — there are real tools, training programs and resources available to help you build almost any skill you’re interested in developing. 

Something that stood out to me was how supported growth actually is in practice. There are many different learning platforms and development programs, but beyond that, leaders are open to helping you find opportunities that align with your goals. Whether it’s through stretch projects, new responsibilities, or connecting you with the right people, there’s a strong focus on helping you move forward in your career.

What makes your culture motivating?

The culture is motivating because I’m surrounded by determined, supportive people who genuinely care about each other’s success. My teammates push me to be a better technologist, but also a better person, which makes a big difference in how I show up every day. 

Another thing that really stands out is the level of leadership support. I’m surrounded by leaders who want me to succeed, who listen to my ideas and who actively help me think about how to grow my career. On a day-to-day basis, that support shows up through collaboration, encouragement and opportunities to take on new challenges.