Well, to be honest, people were allowed to pick a profession. And you had some wiggle room to pick your placement and change works later on. And you were allow

Well, to be honest, people were allowed to pick a profession. And you had some wiggle room to pick your placement and change works later on. And you were allowed to drink in your kitchen with whoever you want. Although if KGB noticed you were partying with known dissidents or on certain days (e.g. independence day of the republic that was then occupied by soviets)... you'd be, let's say, cancelled :) Or if you kids had poppy seeds in dental inspection that was accidentally held on christmas day...