The article describes the orientations of students of a large industrial city of Ekaterinburg to precarious employment. The study is based on the materials of empirical and sociological research which was conducted in 2021. The objects of the research were students (n = 716) and young people involved in atypical employment (n = 20). We argue that secondary employment of students becomes a driver of “recruitment” to the precarious class. Atypical employment attracts student youths by the possibility of having their own financial funds, maintaining a bond with their parents, and seeing it as a necessary resource (material and moral) in their life after graduation. Orientation to high wages as well as flexible working hours (irregular/ part-time work, project activities) are the leading factors in choosing a future job.