From the Bay to the Market: My Summer at Crab Knockers
When people imagine their ideal internship, they probably envision an air-conditioned office working for a department they harbor a passion for. Hot, grueling summer heat and physical labor are probably at the bottom of the list of desirable traits. But for me, that was the reality and, surprisingly, a rewarding one. My name is Jesse Simmons, and over the summer of 2025, I interned at Crab Knockers Seafood Market in Leonardtown, Maryland, the town where I grew up.
Although a seafood market is not my dream job or what I had hoped for, the Chesapeake Bay has always been close to my heart. With the market directly connected to this unique ecosystem, it felt like a chance to give back to the place and people who raised me. It certainly was not easy, but I found ways to enjoy my time. I can proudly say that this experience succeeded in molding me into a better person.
One of my favorite aspects of the internship was the interconnectedness. By this, I mean that I found it particularly fascinating to be a part of this process. First, fishermen and crabbers would bring us their daily yield. From there, I was responsible for tracking inventory and properly storing the products. Whenever an order came in, I prepared it. This could be frying chicken, preparing fish, or stunning and steaming crabs. Once everything is cooked, I would plate and bag the order to be given to our customers. It didn't seem like it at first, but I had begun to actually like doing this. Watching customers’ faces light up as I served them fresh food made me feel included and indispensable.
A particularly memorable facet of my internship was helping the crabbers unload. To think in the beginning, it had worried me. I had convinced myself that these moments of socialization would be the worst part of my job. It turned out to be quite the opposite. After settling into my surroundings, I found it not only easy but fun to talk with them, all the while avoiding being pinched. They always had something to say about their day or questions to ask me, making me comfortable with my situation. One such crabber, Jeff, even found ways to cheer me up at times. On a particularly hot day, he noticed that I was not in the best of spirits. He said to me, “It isn't about how long or hard your shifts are; it is about the people you feed.” My sour mood had vanished, and I carried the momentum throughout the rest of the summer.
Later on in my internship, Jeff even offered to take my father and me on a fishing trip with him. I was so grateful for the bond that we had made, and that he felt like giving more. It was a great day for fishing too, clear skies and a breeze flowing along the bay. Even though we didn't catch any big rockfish like we'd hoped, we still managed to make a dinner out of a few perch. I made some great memories that day, and it reminded me of the interconnectedness. The relationship between humans and the ecosystem brought us all together for a shared experience.
My time at Crab Knockers had changed my perspective on work entirely. Before, I dreaded the idea of working every day for the rest of my life. It seemed like it would be the day my life as I knew it would end. Afterwards, I realized that my efforts directly helped others and their loved ones. I now use this fact to keep myself motivated and positive. Knowing that there is so much good out in the world waiting to be done, let me shed this idea that work is a burden. Instead, I now realize that to work is to become an integral part of one of society's many elements.
Not only did I find ways to love working, but I also grew socially. Conversing with crabbers, fellow employees, and customers alike all helped me to leave my comfort zone. By getting out of my head, I made some great progress honing key social skills. Expressing myself to others and helping them do the same was something I didn’t expect to enjoy or do much of. I now realize that we all share this interconnectedness and that we really are all alike in one way or another.
My interests lie in environmental monitoring and ecological research, so I don't see myself working at a seafood market long-term. That being said, this internship shaped my character in ways I didn’t expect. It taught me time management, emotional maturity, and the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. In the end, I’d give my internship experience a seven out of ten, not because it was easy or perfectly aligned with my goals, but because it helped me grow. And for that, I’m grateful.
