She started her screen career appearing on television shows such as My Wife and Kids (2003), Joan of Arcadia (2004), What About Brian (2007) and CSI: Miami (2007).

She gained recognition in 2007 with her breakthrough role as Vanessa Abrams on The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012).

[8] Subsequent modeling gigs followed, including prints for Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Jockey and JanSport.

[9] Szohr graduated from Menomonee Falls High School a semester early[10] and moved to Los Angeles with her mother at the age of 17 to pursue an acting career.

"[7] She initially aspired to become an interior designer[11] and had enrolled in Columbia College Chicago, but her agent ultimately convinced her to try pilot season auditions.

In the same year, Szohr earned her breakthrough role on the hit CW teen drama series Gossip Girl.

The portrayal of Vanessa has drawn criticism from Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the original Gossip Girl novels.

[15] Originally cast as a recurring role,[16] Szohr was promoted to series regular after the season one episode "The Blair Bitch Project" in April 2008.

[25] In April 2010, Szohr joined the cast of the romantic comedy Love, Wedding, Marriage, along with Mandy Moore and Kellan Lutz.

In March 2013, she was cast as the female lead in the Fox drama pilot The List, playing FBI agent Natalie Voss.

Szohr will play Laura Melvin, an artist/photographer who has "read everything, been everywhere," and immediately intrigued by Jay (Jonathan Tucker) whom she wants to hire for a photo shoot.

[33] On February 12, 2018, Szohr was cast as a regular for the second season of the science fiction comedy-drama series The Orville, as Talla Keyali.