Student-Led Networking & Career Connections Event

​The New Mexico Innovation Ecosystem is a student-led organization at the University of New Mexico dedicated to building stronger connections between students, startups, employers, and the broader innovation community across the state. Our mission is to create accessible pathways into entrepreneurship, internships, research, and early-career opportunities by bringing together education, industry, and community partners. Through panels, competitions, workshops, and employer engagement, we help students develop practical skills, build meaningful relationships, and discover real opportunities in New Mexico’s growing innovation economy.

​As part of this mission, and in partnership with STEM Boomerang, we host a UNM-wide, student-organized networking and career connections event that brings employers and students together in a more informal, relationship-driven setting rather than a traditional paid career fair. Hosted at the UNM Anderson School of Management, the event features 10 to 15 employers and organizations, including NM Angels, AFRL, Sandia, the City of Albuquerque, and local startups and small businesses interested in hiring for both internships and full-time roles. In collaboration with STEM Boomerang, UNM Career Services, and the UNM Sustainability program, the event also creates a pathway for smaller, local employers, including those leveraging Workforce Connections and WIOA, to connect with UNM talent. The focus is on conversation, mentorship, and building long-term career connections across sectors.