She graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a secondary concentration in African Studies. While at the University of Illinois, she spent a semester abroad studying Engineering in Durbin, South Africa. Carrie then earned her Juris Doctorate from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. In 2009, she was appointed to serve as a Board Member on the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Carrie has been active in various community organizations such as the Center for Women in Transition, the Cabrini Green Tutoring Program, and Engineers Without Borders. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Chicago Youth Centers (Metropolitan) and the Greater LaGrange YMCA.