Tamaris Hidalgo, a native of Puerto Rico, is an electronics maintenance officer and electronics systems coordinator in the command, control, computer, communications, and information technology department of the Coast Guard’s Base in New Orleans. (Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Station New Orleans Facebook page)

In her role at the U.S. Coast Guard, Hidalgo works to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region to support national security. She is also a certified linguist fluent in five languages, including Spanish and English.

Hidalgo enjoys scuba diving, which she finds relaxing and a great escape from the daily rush. She has traveled to many places, including Barbados, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Mexico, Canada, and ten states across the continental United States. Her ultimate goal is to dive into the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Despite her busy schedule, Hidalgo always goes everywhere with her family, who are her biggest supporters. She has also learned many valuable things from scuba diving, including discipline, leadership, and teamwork.

Puerto Rico is a scuba-diving destination. No surprise then that Tamaris Hidalgo, a native of the island, has gone diving in many places in Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

“It isolates me from the rush that we live in every day. The views are amazing, too,” Hidalgo told Women of Color magazine.

Hidalgo is an electronics maintenance officer and electronics systems coordinator in the command, control, computer, communications, and information technology department of the Coast Guard’s Base in New Orleans. (Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Station New Orleans Facebook page).

She is also a certified linguist fluent in five languages, including Spanish and English. Hidalgo has visited Barbados, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Mexico, Canada, and ten states across the continental United States. Her ultimate goal is to dive into the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

How does she balance work, scuba diving, traveling, and family?

“I go everywhere with them,” she said. “We do zip line with my 7-year-old and go to the beach often. My husband and my kids are my biggest supporters in everything I do! They make me laugh so much. I enjoy every second we spend together as a family.”

Three things that scuba diving has taught her?

Discipline: Tamaris opened a real estate business in 2005. Four years later, she graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamon with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

“When I went to college, I realized I was the only female in most classes. I hesitated many times about my career path, but I stayed in computer science because I enjoyed problem-solving programming and the creative part of it. I also love math,” she said.

Leadership: In 2013, Hidalgo decided to start a career in the U.S. Coast Guard. She completed the Coast Guard’s Direct Commissioning program for Engineers two years later. Newly commissioned, she reported to the Base New Orleans C4IT as an Ensign in May 2015. Now, Hidalgo is responsible for over 200 electronic technicians and IT specialists across the Coast Guard Eighth District detachments. The district consists of 26 states surrounding the Gulf region.

“When I joined the Coast Guard, I realized the field was more diversified. We must help others succeed in the STEM field because if they succeed, we all do. I currently mentor more than 20 Coast Guard members across the country, and 4 of them have been selected for the Direct Commission Engineer Program.”

Teamwork: As a Leadership Diversity Advisory Council member, she continues to grow and strive within the Coast Guard. The council creates and maintains a positive work environment where everyone is encouraged to use their talents and skill sets to achieve their full potential and maximize their contribution to the Coast Guard.

Over her three-year career, Hidalgo has taken on and grown within the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission. She works to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.