Carielle Doe, a journalist from Manhattan, New York, has won won a place in the final of a Global Entrepreneurship Week competition called Your Big Year. Her name was announced along with 23 other finalists at the Shanghai World Expo in mid-October.
The competition was designed to encourage global citizenship and social responsibility through enterprise and has received 44,333 registrations from 168 different countries.
She will fly to Liverpool on November 13th and take part in the grand final of the competition during Global Entrepreneurship week (November 15-21). The prize is a life-changing opportunity to travel the globe for a year -- expenses paid, working on education and conservation projects. 29 year old Carielle will be joining the other international finalists to compete in the week long final.
The free competition has been designed to test entrants’ skills in communication, charity fund-raising and entrepreneurial spirit. It was launched in July and is still open to entry to adults worldwide. Contestants took part in various on line challenges over the 4 month period to win them a chance in the final.
Carielle like many others in this current economic climate was job hunting on line when she came across the competition. She was reluctant to enter at first but decided to take a leap of faith over practicalities and entered the competition. She won her place by participating in one of the challenges to film a 3 minute video, in support of one of the 24 selected charities. She was inspired by the work of the U.S based charity Gifted Hands and wanted to highlight the importance of the great work they do. Via Facebook she had to secure as many votes as possible to win her position.
Chris Arnold, CEO of Smaller Earth, a Liverpool based Leadership Development Firm, who designed the competition, contacted Carielle to tell her the good news. Chris said “the competition was designed to be fun but Carielle and a few others competing in “Your Big Year” have taken that to a different level. Her video has the aim of raising profile and money for a good cause, but she has got herself into the final, with the chance of meeting world leaders, as she travels the Earth. This trip is not about lying around on beaches or partying in backpacker bars, our two winners will be expected to volunteer on a variety of projects. They will act as ambassadors for Your Big Year , as they meet inspirational people from all walks of life – from the entrepreneurs of the Developing World to global leaders and business icons.
Carielle is originally from Reston in Virginia and attended South Lakes School where she was a competitive athlete (an all American sprinter). She always had the urge to travel but was unable to take the time out. After she stopped competing she worked in Liberia for a short time then went to graduate school at NYU.
Whilst working at a major TV network she yearned for some international experience field producing. “I used to watch shows such as Globe Trekker and wished I had a chance to do my favourite things: travel, meet people, explore our beautiful world and report. As a journalist this competition is perfect for me, but I think that many people would have reasons for wanting to do this. I can’t wait for the final in Liverpool. Your Big Year provides people with a chance to step out of their comfort zones. “ said Carielle.
At the end of the finals week in November, the two best performers will win the prize and explore the world together. Travel, accommodation and living costs will be covered.

• Carielle’s video is available to view on Your Big Year's Facebook page. 
• Her profile is also available online at the Your Big Year website.

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