[2] In 1985, Karinshak was nominated by Congressman George Darden to attend the United States Air Force Academy, where she served as a soaring instructor pilot.

Karinshak was subsequently commissioned as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force.

After completing her clerkship, Karinshak was a litigation associate at Sutherland Asbill and Brennan in Atlanta.

[1] She also served as Deputy Executive Counsel to Governor Roy Barnes from 1999 to 2003, where she helped change the then-controversial Georgia state flag and managed judicial, military, and law enforcement affairs.

[1] In August 2017, Karinshak announced her candidacy for the Georgia State Senate, seeking to represent the 48th district.