After receiving her PhD, she spent four years at the University of Southern California School of Politics, Planning and Development as the deputy director of the Civic Engagement Initiative.
At USC, Carol Baker Tharp managed a project to map neighborhood involvement throughout the region.
Tharp left the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment in September 2007 due to an aggressive battle with breast cancer.
Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in mourning her death, stated: "Carol Baker Tharp loved the City of Los Angeles and spent the past year working to strengthen its neighborhoods as the General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment.
Though we mourn her passing today, we take comfort in the fact that her work and ideas will continue to yield positive benefits for the people of Los Angeles.