She was executive editor of Look, which was the highest position held by a woman at a general interest magazine, and the vice president and editor-in-chief of McCall's.
[3] Carbine joined the magazine Look in 1953 as an editorial researcher, eventually being promoted as assistant managing editor in 1959.
Along with Elizabeth Forsling Harris, Carbine convinced her that a magazine was the best approach as it was more likely to make money and to serve as a 'forum'.
The trio attempted to source funding for the project and finally received an offer from Clay Felker, editor of New York magazine, who suggested publishing a preview of the new magazine – titled Ms. – in the year-end issue of New York and as a stand-alone January issue.
She also focused on finding advertisers who were not usually associated with women's magazines, including auto manufacturers, financial services and alcoholic beverages.
Carbine successfully persuaded the MPA not to hold the annual conference in Florida, due to the state's importance in the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).