I was a Nuclear Engineer in the Navy for 9 years, and I can tell you I loved what I did, but hated all the beaucracy that went along with it. When I got out, I considered going to MIT to get my Masters in ME, but the main thing that swayed me into going into my current field (anesthesia) is the lack of job security in engineering fields. With outsourcing taking more and more of our jobs away, it was something that I looked really hard at.

So, to soothe my wrench-turning side, I guess that I will just have to fix up cars when I get out of school.

I wonder that myself sometimes. There are times, on high profile projects, that failure is not an option. When it MUST work, you do what it takes to get it done. During the week, I work and sleep, and don't spend much time on BC. Just check in in the evening.

5 cups of coffee before lunch, and 3 Nicotine breaks

I have been working as a contractor for Honda R&D North America. I have been most satisfied in the Automotive sector and think some of the best engineers I have worked with are in Vehicle Research.

I am a Mechanical Project Engineer.
It is both challenging and rewarding.
You will work a minimum 10 hr day with some all nighters thrown in for good measure, as well as weekends and some holidays. You will not get overtime pay.
Some people with respect you, some will envy you, some will hate you. That'* life. Get over it.
You get out of it what you put into it.
You never stop learning. You shouldn't get bored.
School doesn't teach you anything except how to learn.
You will be so busy that time will warp and the days, weeks, months and years will fly by.
I don't really know where the last 26 years of my career have gone.....into my autos, home and family.

Unlike Bill, I don't drink coffee or smoke nicotine.....that helps a bit.

If you really want to make money, work for yourself, if you have any entreprenerial desires. If not, you will only make company shareholders rich and they will let you go when you're 55 whether you want to or not.