For military families relocating to Southeastern North Carolina, the "PCS" checklist is long. But for military spouses, one item often sits at the top of the list: Career Continuity.

Whether you are stationed at Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, or commuting from a quiet corner of Pender or Brunswick County, the Cape Fear region is increasingly becoming a hub for portable careers and military-friendly employers. If you are looking to plug into the local professional scene, here is where to start in New Hanover, Onslow, and Brunswick counties.

The Networking "Power Grid"

They say it’s about "who you know," but when you just arrived, you might not know anyone yet. Fast-track your connections with these groups:

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) & The Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN): This is your first stop. The local networks in this region are active and specifically designed to bridge the gap between military spouses and local employers. Look for their events in Jacksonville and Wilmington to meet recruiters who understand gaps in resumes due to PCS moves.

Chamber Military Affairs Committees: You don't have to be a business owner to benefit from the Chamber of Commerce.

• Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber: Their Military Affairs Committee is deeply integrated with the base community.
• Wilmington Chamber: They host various networking events where "military spouse" is viewed as a badge of resilience and adaptability, not a liability.
• Brunswick & Southport Connections: In Brunswick County, the vibe is more community-focused. Groups like the Southport-Oak Island Chamber are incredibly welcoming. If you are an entrepreneur or creative, this is a great area to find small business collaborations.

Co-Working: Your New Office Base

Working from the kitchen table gets old fast. If you need a professional environment to focus or network, check out these spots:

Wilmington (New Hanover): For a polished, professional vibe, Common Desk in downtown Wilmington offers day passes and memberships perfect for remote workers. Blue Mind Coworking is another excellent option that fosters a tight-knit community feel.

Jacksonville (Onslow): While commercial coworking is still growing here, don't overlook the USO of North Carolina (Jacksonville center). It offers reliable Wi-Fi and a quiet place to work, often serving as a de facto coworking hub for spouses on the go.

The "Coffeeshop Commute": In areas like Hampstead (Pender) or Leland (Brunswick), the local coffee shop is the coworking space. It’s common to see remote workers setting up shop at Drift or Port City Java, making it easy to strike up a conversation with a fellow laptop-warrior.

Employment Support Resources

NCWorks Career Centers: With locations in Wilmington and Jacksonville, they have Veteran and Military Spouse specialists whose sole job is to help you navigate state employment, certification transfers, and resume tailoring.

Onward to Opportunity (O2O): This program offers free career training and certifications for military spouses. It’s a fantastic way to upskill while you settle into your new home.

Finding a Home That Works for Your Career

As a military spouse, you need a home that supports your ambition. That might mean a dedicated home office with soundproofing for client calls, a location with fiber-optic internet for remote work, or a property mid-way between the base and the business district to cut down your commute.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we know that a military move affects the whole family’s career goals, not just the service member's. We are experts at finding homes that work for your specific needs—whether that's proximity to networking hubs or a quiet flex-space for your next big project. Let us handle the house hunt so you can focus on landing the job.