Conlin moved to New York City to study acting and was accepted into New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. While working toward her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, she appeared in several productions at the Atlantic Theater Company and the Playwrights Horizons Theater School, and traveled to Amsterdam to study with the Experimental Theatre Wing's International Training Program.

Upon graduating from New York University, Conlin was chosen to be a part of the cable documentary series The It Factor, which focused on the lives of young actors in New York City. Soon after, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she quickly landed her first starring role on the series MDs, as the idealistic young intern taken under the arm of the hospital's two renegade doctors, played by William Fichtner and John Hannah. She followed that with a leading role on the drama series The D.A., playing an outspoken political consultant to Steven Weber's district attorney.

In addition to working consistently in television, Conlin has appeared in several features, including Garmento and Love the Hard Way, starring Adrien Brody. She also appeared in the films Open Window opposite Robin Tunney and Enchanted opposite Susan Sarandon and Patrick Dempsey.