For the specialty of mechanical engineering are you in the field more or is it more of a desk job?

This depends on the job you get in Mechanical Engineering. I am in design and I have traveled on average of 10% of the time with peaks hitting 50% for up to 6 month periods. But while I am in the office, I spend about 50% of the time at my desk. I work with assessing prototypes, part review, testing, getting input from stakeholders, etc.

It depends on where you work, and what your role is. I worked at a Naval shipyard for 6 years as a troubleshooter. I did not see any equipment that worked as it was supposed to until I had solved the problem. I was not allowed to touch tools - that was supposed to be left to the mechanics (union rules). On several occasions, I was allowed to show the mechanics what I wanted to happen (but it took more than a year to gain the reputation that I knew what I was doing).

My last job as engineering manager for a small manufacturing firm I was allowed a lot of leeway. On more than one occasion I got my hands (and clothes) dirty. I loved being able to work hands-on (now that I am retired, my hobbies include refurbishing old, small gasoline engines - old lawn mowers, go-karts, chippers, etc.).

Just be sure you know what you are doing if you grab a wrench. Nothing worse than an engineer screwing up something that the mechanics have to fix.

One of the mechanics explained his version of job separation: "you know why it works, I know how it works".

Like most engineering jobs you can direct yourself towards either "field" or "office" tasks. I think the best is some combination of the both. Office work can involve creating and reviewing many aspects of new designs while field work can be installations, troubleshooting or investigative work for future projects. I love working with my hands and I don't mind getting dirty, cold and wet working with people in the field. Issues with "union rules" can be minimized if you keep unions involved and informed, but remember you are an engineer not a mechanic. The most satisfying feeling I got was knowing I designed and installed a sucessfull solution. My philosophy....The best solutions are; simple, effective, and robust (SER). Persue engineering and design great solutions!!!!