After attaining his teaching degree in Dutch and History he went on to study law, followed by several additional degrees. This set the scene for him leading a very diverse and colourful professional life that included teaching, journalism and writing. For many years Karel was the acting chief editor for TOP, a magazine for teenagers on subjects related to their lives’. He went on to become deputy chief editor of the newspaper Het Volk (The People), and chief editor of UIT Magazine (focusing on tourism) as well as Wintersport Magazine.