Question(s) about Living in the OBX

Growing up in VA, we went to the OBX very summer multiple times. I’ve always loved it and dreamt about moving there when I retire. My SO had never been until this past week and fell in love. She’s from a beach town and has been really wanting to move back to the beach.

My question is, is it feasible to live and work in OBX? Currently she has a degree in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor is Psych and I have 2 more years for my Civil Engineering degree.

I feel like there’s tons of seasonal service industry jobs but are there enough year long career jobs to be had? We both fell in love with Manteo but it’s so small that I’m worried neither of us would actually find jobs.

I could probably work with the local government with city planning and she has always wanted to go into law enforcement, would those be options? Are there other options like a bigger city would have, like research labs or corporate offices?