The beginning of a New Year is a great time to focus inward and make goals for the future. Although some might become overwhelmed with the thought of losing 20 pounds or cutting out desserts, your resolutions don't have to be quite so cliché.

True, New Year's resolutions should be about bettering oneself and investing in more worthwhile activities. But your health and fitness aren't the only things that might require more of your attention this year.

Consider your life path. Are you where you want to be in your career? What might be holding you back from obtaining that job you've always dreamed of? For many, the missing link in the chain of success is a lack of higher education beyond a bachelor's degree.

Graduate school can be a pricey goal, one that shouldn't be rushed into lightly. To help you make an informed and realistic resolution, below are four reasons to start your grad school application this year:

1. Revamp your resume

A bachelor's degree is an accomplishment, to be sure, but it's difficult to get the job when your competitors all have a master's or doctorate. In fact, according to Laura Tucker of TopUniversities.com, "bachelor degree holders are struggling to appeal to employers even at entry-level in certain industries."

Today's job market is anything but easy, and a graduate degree will only help you rise above the competition.

With added education, you'll have more than just another qualification to add to your resume. Instead of offering bachelor-level knowledge alone, someone with a graduate-level degree offers professional skills that apply directly to his or her field.

2. Increase your earning potential

A graduate degree will help you obtain employment when you otherwise wouldn't have gotten the job. And, as you know, employment means money. While many bachelor's degrees allow you to make rent, a graduate education lets you make a living — and have fun doing it.

The phenomenon of higher education beyond a bachelor's degree equals more money is nothing new. Jonnelle Marte of The Washington Post states, "people will come out with the potential to earn a much bigger paycheck . . . (which) wouldn't have been possible without the advanced degree."

Anything worthwhile takes work, so although graduate school may seem daunting now, it's actually a great investment for your future.

3. Explore your passions with experts

In many ways, undergraduate education only scratches the surface of entire schools of thought and paths of learning. If you want to further pursue your interests in an exciting environment, graduate school presents the perfect place to do that.

Whether you are an engineer, writer, nurse or social worker, there are still entire oceans of unexplored territory. Attending graduate school helps you study relevant topics in more depth and under the guidance of experts in your field.

Furthermore, the professors and colleagues you work with while in graduate school will create a vast new network to connect with and draw from for future engagement. It never hurts to have more professional contacts, after all.

If you love what you do now, think how much more enjoyable it will be in the context of a graduate degree and the pathways that open up as a result.

4. Become a thought leader in your field

According to a recent article by Tad Walch of the Deseret News, schooling makes a big difference in where you end up. According to Walch, five BYU graduates made the Thinkers50 list this year, which is "the world's most prestigious ranking of business management thought-leaders."

Interestingly enough, four of these five successful people also possess graduate degrees.

It's no accident that thought leaders and industry moguls tend to have a little more education on their CV. Pursuing further education often leads to academic and professional recognition, and provides unbeatable career opportunities.

In truth, graduate students often participate in industry-altering and field-affecting research. Whether you are working toward a master's in English or a doctorate in mathematics, it's highly likely that you'll somehow contribute to the world's knowledge during your graduate schooling.

For all these reasons and more, consider beginning your application to graduate school. If you gain acceptance, there's a lot of work in store but also limitless opportunities. To find out more about local graduate programs, visit BYU Graduate Studies to start your application today.

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