At Princeton University, Cara studied at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs with a focus on political economy and sanctions policies. Her studies inspired her independent research examining U.S. sanctions strategies with Iran and led her to engage in advocacy for immigrant rights with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, global business development at the Bay Area Council, and direct policy work at the federal executive Office of Management and Budget (OMB). As an OMB policy analyst intern, Cara led interagency reviews of Environmental Protection Agency regulations and, by directly participating in the policy-making process, clarified her aspiration to engage policy as a future legal advisor.