Dr. Carrier has worked at the Cooper Center for nearly 20 years studying workforce issues in Virginia and directing career information and resource projects funded by the Virginia Department of Education.

Dr. Carrier earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of London. She taught for many years at the University of Papua New Guinea and as an adjunct faculty member at the Durham University and the University of Newcastle in England before returning to Charlottesville.