[maxander]

If you want to not be behind a screen, what you’re looking for might not be mechanical engineering at all. The guys/girls on the floor of a shop full of CNC machines and 3d printers aren’t usually engineers as such. Manufacturing/fabrication is obviously a whole different universe than the typical HNer inhabits, and has a very different culture- but it can be very high-skill while usually a having lower formal training requirement. (Perhaps even can be a useful stopover before beginning studies to go back behind the computer screen as a MechE.)

[idnefju]

My friend is a mechanical engineer and most of his time is spent in CAD and then writing some documentation.

Definitely similar vibes to being a software dev, aka sitting in front of a monitor

[trcarney]

My dad runs a machine shop, most of the work now is all CNC which means you will also be behind a computer screen. Also to get a machinist job, you would most likely need to go to a trade school for 2 years or some other similar program.

If you want to get into hand machining and you have the space, save some money and buy a used bridgeport mill. Those things are tanks and you can do pretty much anything with one.