New UAF alumna Obat savors journey from Kenya to Fairbanks
August 21, 2020
— by Elizabeth Talbot, alumni relations coordinator
New University of Alaska Fairbanks alumna Judy Obat came to Alaska seeking independence. During her time studying at UAF she discovered much more.
When Obat '20 moved from Kenya to spend her high school years with her brother in Wichita, Kansas, it wasn’t much of a shock. She was able to speak her native languages with her brother and continue many traditions from her village. And since she had grown up speaking British English, she was able to communicate with her new community, too.
In fact, the only thing that caught her off guard was the difference in respect shown between children and elders. She was aghast the first time she heard a classmate talk back to a teacher. “Back home that would never happen,” she said. “Your parents and professors are law. What they say goes.”
The culture shock set in when she moved to Alaska, but not because of the cold.
While UAF’s reputation for having an impressive engineering program caused her to choose this school, she surprised herself when she discovered a new career passion after taking a course from a treasured mentor.
It was the Introduction to Financial Accounting course with Amy Cooper at the UAF School of Management where Obat quickly realized that she wanted to change her major. She noticed how the course fit her learning style and interests. She decided to transfer into the school’s accounting program.
“My biggest obstacle was trying to figure out what was next after realizing I didn't want to be a petroleum engineer,” Obat said. “This change set me back on a few of my goals. I had to readjust my goals and basically everything I thought I wanted. Thankfully I was very familiar with all the resources offered at UAF and was able to seek out help.”
Cooper stayed by Obat’s side throughout the process, reassuring her that she could find success if she could be patient with herself. With the help of UAF health and counseling staff member Stacey Schmitt and the UAF General Studies Advising Center’s Frank Boldt, she was able to start building and adjusting her goals without feeling defeated.
Although she had help along the way she had to rely on herself and her own skills to adapt. This is where that independence she was searching for when she decided to move to Alaska started to kick in. “I didn’t have any family to influence my decision as I did in the past,” she said.
“This was all me making my own paths and detours. It was basically a journey of getting to know myself, what I see myself doing for the rest of my life, what I like in a work environment, how I learn, and what gives me a sense of purpose. I don’t think before this moment in my life I ever sat down and asked myself these questions while deciding what I wanted to major in.”
UAF staff and facility were not her only mentors throughout her college career. She credits her brother, Tony Obat, as having a strong, positive influence on her life. “I’ve always looked up to his accomplishments and aimed to be, if not as great, greater. My brother is an aerospace engineer by day and a FedEx worker by night. Some lessons he has taught me are discipline and perseverance.”
Through his examples he has shown Obat what it takes to achieve her goals and that discipline will get you everything you want to achieve. Some of the most substantial advice he has given Obat is a good message for all UAF students to hear.
“You cannot always pass on your first go. Sometimes it is necessary to fail for your own good. When you fail, the real test is whether or not you get back up and try it again.”
Although she just graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting Business Administration, many of her goals have already been realized. She is currently working in her field as an audit associate for Binder Dijker Otte, an international network of public accounting, tax, consulting and business advisory firms which perform professional services under the name of BDO, based in Anchorage.
Not only does Obat want to hone her accounting skills though real-life work experience, she has no intention of stopping there. Her next goal is to earn her master’s in accounting after getting her CPA. Her aspiration for when she is finished obtaining both certificates is to become a chartered accountant, so she can travel the world while using the knowledge she gained from acquiring her first degree at UAF.
Although she is beyond grateful and excited about her new position she misses Fairbanks and the UAF campus in particular. “It's so easy to go outside and be able to hike the trails on campus, you'll always just find that space.”
“I never knew that Alaska existed until my move to the US, life in Alaska is so different. I love it. I tell my friends, ‘If you ever want to find yourself, Alaska is the best place.’”
When she originally told her family all those years ago she would be going to Alaska to earn her college degree, they were trepidatious. After multiple warnings that it would be cold she said, “so, it will be cold. I can prepare for that.” Now she is a true Alaskan. “When it is above zero degrees, I put on shorts.”
In fact, she’s proud of her record of taking part in UAF’s tradition of a photograph in front of the temperature sign when it hits minus 40 degrees.
She leaves the students of UAF with this insight. “Take the time to know yourself and what environment you work best in. Get to know your professors, as it will help you immensely. Find a support system of friends within your major, that support will take you further than you think. In life, you are not competing with anyone so don’t try to compare yourself with people around you, take your time and your own path.”