Job by distribution (Russian: работа по распределению, rabota po raspredeleniyu) was a Soviet practice of obligatory job placement for college graduates. After graduation, a person would be "distributed" by a committee to a particular position anywhere within the Soviet Union, and had an obligation to work there, typically for three years.
During that time, an employee had the special status of a "young specialist": he or she could not be fired, and could get special benefits like housing. After the placement term expiration, the employee could continue to work there or leave for another job.