How many entry level engineers are just paper pushing junior project managers?

Like the question can suggest

Ive always thought that going into industry I would be an individual contributor working on a team with a manager delegating tasks and some cross-functional requests on my part.

In hindsight, in my first job, I didn't receive training and I was thrown in front of the customer, who was very cranky with me (they only offered sympathy to me once) and I ended up getting micro managed until the day I transferred out to a different company.

The other companies I have been at have given me rigorous training, (granted the jobs were much easier) and there were less wasteful meetings. Yes I am forgetful and I may not have been the smartest out of college (AE 3.3 GPA with honors from Gtech) but I feel like there is something to be said about that.

I personally want moderatly challenging work at a job I dont hate. but I prefer to work on cool stuff at a job I love.

What are yalls entry level engineering experience like? Hate it? love it? Working on cool stuff? Boring stuff? Red tape?