Students working at Fenway

Imagine attending nearly every Boston Red Sox home game and getting paid to be there - earning even more during the playoffs.

This is the case for the many students who work as vendors, compliance officers and numerous other positions at Fenway Park during baseball season.

School of Management senior Peter Kim, who worked as an Alcohol Aware Compliance Supervisor during the summer of 2002, said he earned $85 per game by ensuring alcohol vendors were checking the IDs of all consumers, no matter their age.

Workers at Fenway Park must become members of a union and receive job security and good pay benefits, Metropolitan College senior Alyson McGonagle said.

Not only are students guaranteed to be in the midst of singing Sweet Caroline and die-hard fans, but workers also receive time-and-a- half pay and double time should the Sox score a spot in the World Series.

Students may also receive incentive pay depending on the number of games worked and the duration of employment.

"I make more money for less work at Fenway than I would at another job," McGonagle said.

As a stand worker and manager, her job entailed maintaining inventory, preparing and serving food and working the cash register.

School conflicts have never been a problem, McGonagle said.

"It is easy to take time off during finals and test periods," she said. "They are very understanding of students, since that is mainly who they employ."

Kim said the preset schedule was great because he could make his summer plans ahead of time and knew exactly when any conflict might arise.

"The game times never changed, so you always knew when you had to be there," he said.

While Kim simply walked into the office with his résumé in hand, other interested students may contact Aramark - the company in charge of vending services for Fenway Park.

A job fair is held each year during the winter for those interested in working at the park.

The Student Employment Office currently lists an opening for security guards under its Quickie Jobs.

While none of the workers reported any run-ins with Manny Ramirez or Johnny Damon, the view from work seems to be enough to satisfy most students.

"It was a pretty sweet gig," Kim said. "I got paid to walk around the park and watch the game."