I specialize in Geotechnical Engineering. I determine soil properties, and provide recommendations to the contractor and structural engineer with regards soil preparation, and building foundation design. This is a very exciting career. I spend about half of my time away from the desk visiting construction sites and collecting soil samples. The time at my desk is spent analyzing the data our lab sends me on the soil samples, and creating reports detailing my recommendations to the contractor and structural engineer. This is a very interesting job for those who like math, and don't like to sit still, or do the same thing over and over. The lack of redundancy, and constant challenges, are perhaps the two most exciting aspects of geotechnical engineering.
If you like to be outside for a portion of your Career, I would highly suggest looking into Civil Engineering. Even more, you can actually see your work when it is finished ie roadway, bridge, dam, traffic light, buildings, airports...
With other engineering disciplines, you on see the stuff on paper. like a bearing for a coffee grinder. Wa ho...
I love my job. I am a traffic engineer (subset of Civil). I feel that I provide a good service to the public and that the work I do saves lives and gets people home to their families faster. I certainly have no complaints about the pay either. Also, as a result of my career I get to travel the country doing traffic design in different locations.