Most adults return to school either because they want to gain the education they never pursued, go further in the realm of academics than they did before or learn what they need to in order to move into a new field of work. And while the process of going back to school is not simple for any of these reasons, it is certainly less complicated if your reasoning centers on the first two.

Why? Because if you already know what you want to study, then going back to school as an adult is really just a matter of making the decision to do so, finding the program that works best for you, figuring out how you will pay for it all and then applying.

But if you're thinking about returning to school because of professional issues-maybe you want a new job in a different field, maybe you want a job in a different part of the field in which you already work-there is an entire decision-making process you have to go through before you even consider those other basic questions addressed above.

So how do you do it? How do you figure out what, exactly, is the best path for you?

First, Look At The Big Picture

Step back for a minute and take a look at your professional situation: What do you want to change? What do you like most? Least? Is this even a field in which you want to stay? These are the basic issues facing all adults who are considering returning to school for professional reasons. And there's a good chance that you'll look at your situation and realize that you don't want to make any drastic changes at all, or certainly none that require you to go back to school.

But then there's the possibility that you do want to make a big change. And whether that means entering an entirely new field or simply changing the aspect of the one in which you currently work, there's a good chance that going back to school will have a very real impact.

There are number of considerations you should be aware of first, however: How much schooling will be needed in order to facilitate this change? If you're entering an entirely new field, will you need to enroll in a full, four-year-style undergraduate program, or will it simply be enough to do a trade program or an associates-degree-style two-year course of study? And then there's the issue of how going back to school will affect the job you already have: Will you have to quit your job in order to devote all your energy to your studies? Will it be necessary to change your working hours in order to make time for your classes and homework?

Before you make any decision, list the most basic questions that pertain to your situation and answer them as carefully as possible. It's the best way to make sure your decision is the right one.

Second, Look Inside Yourself

Once you've made the decision to go back to school for work-related reasons, you have the task of figuring out what, exactly, you would like to study. After all, there are as many options within each field of study as there are jobs within your area of professional expertise. But how are you supposed to know what you want to do with the rest of your professional life after you graduate if you haven't even taken a single class yet?

Luckily, there are more ways than you might have imagined to find out what is best for you. And while none of these diagnostic tools are 100% accurate, they certainly will help you discover in what direction to lean in terms of your professional aspirations.

The Internet is, as usual, a great place to start. A recent Google search for "career tests" turned up a number of online diagnostic tests that will help you figure out what career path is right for you. Just be careful that you know who's administering these tests before you take them: Some of them might be created by advertisers or other non-impartial parties, and the results could be skewed more towards their ends than your own. But the good, honest ones are certainly worth pursuing.

Also, go to the bookstore and browse the career section. There should be plenty of books there that deal with the very same issues you're contending with right now. The best ones will not only help you figure out what your career options really are, but also how to go about discovering them in the first place.

Finally, Make It A Group Effort

As an adult who is considering going back to school, you may find it helpful-as well as appropriate-to confer with your family about these issues. No one, after all, knows you better than your family and friends, and they may have some interesting ideas about what you should be doing. Solicit their advice and take it seriously…just don't let them sway you in directions that you don't want to go in.

Also, stop by your local community college and see if you can get an appointment with a career counselor. Research adult student support groups in your area. Whatever you do, just make sure you case as wide a net as possible: The more opinions you get, the more well-informed your ultimate decision will be.

The truth is this: Deciding to go back to school is a big deal, and an admirable one, too. The best way to make sure you get the most out of your new academic experience, as well as the professional world beyond, is to think through all your options beforehand. If you do that, then you're sure to make the choice that suits you best. And that's a goal that most everyone shares.