I grew up in a Ph.D. lab that didn't really do the whole collaboration thing. I had friends who would talk about their collaborations, and I just didn't get it. Who does what? What does who? When does anything actually get done? I experienced confusion and a sense of comfort, knowing that everything was always under my control.
This lab, my current lab, is like another world. I'd estimate that most postdocs in my lab have anywhere from 3-5 collaborations going on at any point in time. I totes love collaborating. So, without further ado, let me present my:
Top 5 Reasons to Collaborate
1. Hands down, positively the best way to learn new skillz. If you show me your banana, I'll show you my mangoes. You know how that goes.
2. Forces you to handle people. Everyone is different, everyone plans differently, communicates differently, works differently. If you ever want to be a PI or really anything other than a working hermit, this is a great way to learn how to set and accomplish goals with others when you are not doing all of the research.
3. Encourages socialization. When you don't feel like pipetting, you can go find your collaborator and "strategize" during a 2 hour coffee break. When labmates ask about your prolonged absence, you can make shit up about your "deep scientific discussions" and "ground-breaking theory development" over hazelnut whipped foam double caramel lattes.
4. If you're having a hard time developing that potential GlamourMag idea, remember that innovative work often is done at the interfaces of science. Period. Do it.
5. When you are feeling lazy or bored with the project, you can wait for your collaborator to do something and then blame the delay on them.
6. Misery loves company.