STEM Boomerang was established to address this challenge by connecting talented professionals with diverse STEM job opportunities across New Mexico.

We are constantly working to increase awareness of local STEM job opportunities, particularly in specialized tech and startups, and provide valuable career development resources to equip New Mexico’s workforce for success.

Since 2017, STEM Boomerang has aimed to help STEM professionals make connections to discover career opportunities in every sector of New Mexico’s economy.

Our first event was in December, 2017 on UNM’s main campus. Over 115 STEM professionals & students met with recruiters from 30 companies and learned the topography of New Mexico innovation and entrepreneurship over a 2-day immersive event. Read more HERE.

Since then, we have hosted numerous events garnering attendance from over 1000 professionals and over 100 NM employers!

In response to our growing database of professionals and employers, we developed an online Career Portal for candidates to upload their resume for employers to view. We have over 1000 STEM professionals in our database and the list growing daily.

During her 30-year tenure at UNM, Founder Maggie Werner-Washburne, PhD, not only led a successful NIH-funded laboratory but also mentored over 600 STEM students, many of whom pursued higher education and career opportunities outside the state.

Following their journeys, a significant number of these mentees expressed a desire to return home but faced challenges navigating the job market. Recognizing this need, STEM Boomerang was established.

Co-Founder, Monica Sandoval-Johnson, PhD joined the team in 2019 after ‘Boomeranging’ home to New Mexico.