The Profession and Parenting: Strategies for Making it Work – M. Scott Zema

As an Athletic Trainer (AT), it can be a challenge to balance work and family life due to the long hours and irregular schedules. In this series, we present stories about ATs who successfully juggle their professional and personal lives, and we feature real stories from AT parents who “make it work.

M. Scott Zema, M.Ed, LAT, ATC is an assistant professor, head Athletic Trainer (AT) and chair of the Department of Student Services at Penn West California (Formerly California University of PA). Zema has been a certified and licensed AT since August 1990.

Can you provide some details about your family life?

I have been married to my wife, Kerry, since May 2009. Our daughters are 13 and 9, and my son is 12. My family also serves as a resource family (foster family) in Pennsylvania.

Are you involved in any activities outside the home? Are your kids involved in outside activities?

My wife and I keep pretty busy. I’ve been involved with our church and my wife has been the president of Caring Parents and Teachers organization with our kids’ school. We prioritize family time including vacations, amusement parks and visiting family. My wife is also an advocate for one of our children who has autism spectrum disorder.

My two girls are heavily involved in dance. They are on the competitive dance team with Westmoreland Dance Alliance. My 13-year-old daughter has been on the competitive team for four years now, and my 9-year-old daughter joined this year. My son has been taking karate for the past few years and is getting ready to take his test to go from green belt to blue belt. All of the kids have tried different sports at one point or another (basketball, tee ball, soccer), but they found their grooves with dance and karate.

In addition, my son plays the saxophone, drums, guitar and piano. My 9-year-old daughter plays the piano and trumpet. My 13-year-old daughter plays the piano and baritone, but she’s told us that she is not joining the band in high school, so this is her last year in the band.

Can you share your experience balancing being a parent and an AT?

As you can see from all the activities mentioned, our lives are pretty busy! My wife does a great job coordinating who needs to be where and when. Our shared calendar lists all my work responsibilities and family appointments. I help pick up the kids and/or assist in chauffeuring them to various activities around my work responsibilities. During fall and spring football season, my work schedule takes priority of my time. During non-busy times, I schedule my time at work to be the most efficient.

The biggest thing I can say that assists me in creating this family/work synergy (I hate the term balance) is creating healthy boundaries and sticking to them. I’m fortunate to have a family that understands the time commitment of my job during my busy season, and the people I work with understand that boundaries are important so I can be there for my family.

The other ATs that I work with are absolutely incredible, and I can honestly say we function together as a true team. I do not micromanage their time, and they are free to set their schedule appropriately depending on their set schedule (practice and game). I also encourage them to make sure that they are making the best of their time at work. They are free to leave if their tasks are done for the day. We schedule all treatments and rehabilitations, so all our student athletes have an appointment for ongoing issues. We do not have walk-in treatment hours from 8 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Everything is done via appointment.

I make sure that I am at my kids’ karate testing/dance competitions, etc., unless my work schedule prohibits it. However, last year and this year, I’ve been able to assist others with providing AT services for their teams when needed, and they provide AT services for Friday spring football practices when we are on the road for dance (this year that is two Friday practices).

How do you approach daily opportunities as an AT and at home? How do you make them balance?

As mentioned, I work to schedule my time at work appropriately and set boundaries. Cultivating positive relationships with the other ATs, coaches and administration also goes a long way! My wife said it best: “When you are a parent, the days are long, but the years are short. Make the most of your time.”

What is your greatest achievement as an AT?

I’m not sure that achievement is the right word, but I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on students and student athletes and of being there for my family. I had a mentor tell me one time, “You won’t be on your deathbed saying, ‘Boy, I wish I’d spent more time at work.’” Prioritize what is important to you, set appropriate boundaries, communicate and live life.

What is the best part of your day?

When I sit down on the couch with my wife at the end of one of our endless, hectic days.

What advice would you give a fellow AT who might be struggling balancing their career and parenting?

Only you know what is important to you in your life. Nobody is responsible for your happiness but you. It’s up to you to set boundaries and be present. If you find yourself in a position that doesn’t allow that, it may not be the right fit for you. I went through this at one point before my time at California. I decided to get into athletics administration in 2012, and by 2017, I realized that the position was no longer a good fit for me. I purposefully chose a position where I knew I’d be valued and would be able to achieve that life/work synergy I needed.

This article was originally published in the 2025 summer “Cert Update” newsletter.