11 Questions with Jill Konopka

Jill Konopka is an investigative journalist for the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters at WVIT-TV NBC 30 in Hartford, CT.

Jill joined NBC Connecticut on December 1 after spending over 7 years as an investigative and general assignment reporter at WFSB-TV CBS 3. Prior to WFSB, Jill was a weekend anchor and reporter at WBRE-TV in Scranton, PA. She's also worked as a reporter at WUHF-TV in Rochester, NY; KEVN-TV in Rapid City, SD; and started her career behind the scenes at Capitol News 9 in Albany, NY. In addition to her work experience, Jill has also interned at WHAM-TV in Rochester; and WRGB-TV in Albany.

A native of Albany, Jill is a 2002 graduate of the State University of New York College at Geneseo where she earned a Bachelor's degree in communications. She also earned a Master's degree in 2012 from Central Connecticut State University in communication theory.

1. What kind of phone do you have, and what are your favorite apps?
 I have an iPhone 6.  Love all my news apps, Barstool Sports, iMovie, PicCollage, YouTube, Twitter, Waze and Pinterest.

2. Favorite and least favorite news topics to cover (besides violent crime)?
 I most enjoy covering investigative stories, pieces that lead to action or change and results.  It is such a cliché, but the stories I love most are the ones where I have to dig for information, gather/uncover a lot of facts and interviews and really work hard to gain the trust of a potential interview subject before they agree to speak with me officially, sharing their often complicated stories.

 I also enjoy telling the stories of special, everyday people.  The ones that leave the viewers saying, "wow, that was inspiring!"

 My least favorite? And isn't every reporter's, water main breaks?

3. If you weren't working in TV news, what would you be doing?
 I'd make a darn good detective.  Very thorough, persistent and passionate.

4. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
 Goodness, TV watching was limited in my house, but I did enjoy Bobby's World, Charlie Brown and Danger Mouse! Does anyone remember those?

5. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
 I'm usually working out, making soap or doing a project on my house!

6. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
 I want to go to Ireland - and I am tomorrow! [Jill went to Ireland during her time off before starting at NBC Connecticut]  My mother's side of the family is from there and I will get to meet many cousins on my trip.  That will be pretty special for my mother and me.

7. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
 Wow, this is a tough one. There are so many people I would love to share a meal with.  I would have to say Katie Couric or Barbara Walters.  I looked up to both as a little girl and well into my career.

 And James Comey as well, the current Director of the FBI. I am fascinated with the bureau.

8. Do you collect anything?
 Collections?  My home made soap! Does that count?

9. What are the top 3 played songs on your iPod?
 "Cheerleader" by Omi

 "Ships in the night" by Mat Kearney

 "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

10. What is one of your favorite quotes?
 "Everything happens for a reason, just believe!" - one my mother has always said to me all the years of my life!

 And "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."

11. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
 Running the Hartford Marathon October 10th, and then the NYC Marathon November 1st. I wasn't sure how to train, or rest I should say with the three weeks in between, and to be honest I was tired, but marathon running is about the journey, completing what it is you set out to do, and pushing yourself to achieve something great!

Plus, I have arthritis and was chosen to run with the Arthritis Foundation Team in New York, and had to raise $3,000.00 to participate, so there was a little pressure, that in the end I think makes me a stronger individual!

More about Jill Konopka

 NBCConnecticut.com

Jill on Twitter

Jill on Facebook

No endorsement between WVIT-TV and New England One is implied or intended by Jill Konopka's participation in "11 Questions"

 

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