Outline: This talk will briefly highlight some of the neural activity dependent mechanisms the brain utilizes to mature and how these mechanisms can be altered when an individual has a genetic vulnerability or has experienced an environmental insult. However, an atypical development does not necessarily mean an individual will have an array of clinically significant symptoms later in life and as such it is important to cover a few findings on compensatory mechanisms. Like in early development, nothing is set in stone and the last part of the talk will briefly cover a few basics about the diversity of paths in a scientific career.