Hello everybody! Lets start this Twitterview with @vsawkar of @kstp and get to know more about her!
Q – #1 @Vsawkar, for those that didn’t see your video – http://www.vimeo.com/29913465 where did you grow up, and what interests did you have?
Vineeta: Hi @JoelECarlson! I grew up in Overland Park, KS. I loved theater, drill team, school newspaper and speech tourneys.
Q – #2 So from childhood you’ve always had an interest in the news? Where did you attend college, and what was your major?
Vineeta: I have always loved news. I like to be the first to tell people something
I went to Boston University and majored in political science and broadcast journalism.
If tv news didn’t work out, I would have entered the political world. I am a political junkie. Election night is my favorite.
Q – #3 I see. How was the adjustment from Overland Park KS to Boston MA for you? Were there any professors that mentored you?
Vineeta: I was excited to get out of the midwest and experience life in Boston. I loved it.
My friend at @BU did make fun of my KC roots and call me Dorothy as in Wizard of Oz. #jectv #allingoodfun
I enjoyed Boston but was excited to get back to the midwest.First job was at @KXJBTV in Fargo. I was a weather person.
Q – #4 Had you studied meteorology before going to @KXJBTV? How long were you there, and how did you eventually end up at @kstp?
Vineeta: I never studied meteorology but at that time they needed a weekend person and didn’t require it.
I worked in Fargo for 2 years and then went to Omaha at #WOWT to be a reporter.
I spent the last year in Omaha driving up to Minneapolis and begging news directors to hire me
My boyfriend/now-husband was in Fargo at the time and we both wanted to move to Minneapolis.
The news director at @kstp finally relented and said quit bugging me, I will hire you.
16 years later, here I am at @kstp and enjoying a wonderful life in #StPaul. I feel pretty lucky.
Q – #5 Persistence pays off! :) What roles have you had with @kstp? Have any favorite stories?
Vineeta: Persistence is key. I started as a weekend reporter at @kstp and moved to weekend anchor when @AngelaDavisWCCO left.
I was @kstp weekend anchor for 8 years and then @AngelaDavisWCCO left again and they gave me her morning gig.
I always joke that the only way I get a promotion is when @AngelaDavisWCCO leaves a job!
I have done thousands of stories but I have always loved education reporting and covering politics.
My most memorable series of stories was covering the Grand Forks floods in 1997 for a week.
Q – #6 A “Big Story” for sure. Do you miss not reporting sometimes? Is it difficult not to get emotionally involved in stories?
Vineeta: I miss reporting every now and then but I still get to do a little and we do have live interviews in the AM.
I have an 11-yr old boy and 8-yr old girl so I like leaving at noon every day to be there for them.
Reporting schedules are a little more unpredictable.
I remember being a reporter and my husband I were to have a party but I was reporting live in St. Cloud
Luckily, my husband was a tv reporter so he understood and welcomed our guests until I got back from my liveshot.
It is difficult not to get emotionally-involved in stories but you try your best. Tragic kid stories are the hardest.
Q – #7 More about YOU now. :) FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, recent book or movie and TC’s neighborhood.
Vineeta: Love this! Favorite restaurant: Sakura, downtown St. Paul for sushi. Fav store: Any cute shop on Grand Ave.
Fav comfort food: pasta or a good tater tot hotdish. fav recent book: #HotSweatyMamas (about running, local author)
Fav movie: The Way We Were, The Graduate or any Woody Allen. Fav Twin Cities “hood: Summit Hill/Crocus Hill
Q – #8 You have become a runner recently. How/why did you start doing that and how did you do on Sunday for the #TC10?
Vineeta: I started running a year ago. It was a great way to steal some “me” time and release stress.
My goal for #TC10mile was 2 hrs or 2:15 and I made it in 1:58. Slow and steady and finish with a smile.
Q – #9 Good for you! :) Any marathons that we should expect to see you entering? To close, any other goals you’re targeting?
Vineeta: Next goal: Half marathon. Maybe #Grandmasmarathon in Duluth next summer. One step at a time.
This Twitterview was so much fun. Thanks! I have to prepare for the @kstp midday show now. Thanks!
@JoelECarlson: Super! Well thank you so much for your time today and sharing some of your life on #jectv. See you tomorrow AM on @kstp TV. :)
Vineeta: Thanks again! It was a lot of fun! I hope your followers will take a second to follow me. Thanks!