What is it like to work as an engineer (environmental, civil, mechanical, not so much software/electrical)?

Agreed that engineers and structural/machine designers should have some real-world experience in how designs are fabricated, used, and maintained (and not just PEs). An important consideration that is not well taught (if at all) in school are human/handling factors considerations; if you have a widget that is supposed to be lifted and installed by a single person it should both be both light enough to be carried by at least an 50th percentile adult, and have clearly indicated handholds or ways of manipulating the device that are obvious without reading a user manual. If a device is large enough that it has to be hoisted or forklifted, provide lifting points or tyne pockets. Provide for adjustments or clearances as necessary instead of assuming that everything will fit exactly as it does in a parametric CAD model.

Stranger

Design for manufacturability should be part of a Mechanical PE’s training, but I agree there’s a big difference between what you learn in school and what you learn in the real world. Another reason why so many employers are focusing on Co-op programs.