In an era marked by economic uncertainty and labor market instability, this paper examines the job preferences of Chinese youth through the lenses of precarity, the pursuit of success, long-term aspirations, and the quest for a meaningful life. Despite the precarious conditions of today's job market, with limited opportunities and widespread youth unemployment, many young Chinese are increasingly prioritizing stable, long-term employment, particularly within state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Based on interviews with 10 young Chinese adults aged 22 to 26, this study explores how they navigate the tension between societal expectations of success and their personal desires for security and fulfillment. While these individuals are influenced by neoliberal ideals of personal achievement, they simultaneously seek the stability that SOEs provide, viewing it as essential to achieving both professional success and a meaningful life in the face of growing precarity.