system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
As a HS student, what does it take to work at a reputable thinktank?

I'm currently a junior in highschool and I'm very intrested in both politics and econ as a future pathway. Math (Algebra 2 right now) for the fist time since third grade has actually become suprisingly enjoyable to me and I'm finding a relative enjoyment in writing essays and research papers for Sociology, APUSH and English. For the first time in my life, I'm finding I really don't enjoy my science class all that much (Chemistry) and Science Olympiad is making me realize I might've only enjoyed Bio for the teacher...

Anyways (sorry off topic) growing up both poor and an immigrant, I've learned to see schooling as a pathway to income security and I'm a little cautious of the "follow your dreams" rhetoric. My parents tell me 
I have little prospects with an econ degree but ultimately I want to have some impact on welfare reform either through research (my best shot) or public policy (prospects are dim). 

So suppose that my questions are the following: What does it take to work at a reputable think tank? What impact do they have? What are the different jobs available? How is the pay/unemployment/benefits/job security? Does the college you go to affect your job prospects? Am I just reaching here?

I'm truly sorry if I sound like I'm way over head or if I'm a naive teen. My parents, who I know want the best for me a pressuring me onto a career path I'm not sure I want to take and college is way too expensive to really delay anything. 

Most of all I'm sorry if this isn't the right sub. A lot of the comments and answers here seem fairly well argued and educated so I hoped that people older than me might have some advice/warnings. Yeesh, I'm sorry for the long and rambling post!
gpt
Looked at a summer job at think-tank as an undergrad working on a economics major. Most won't look at you unless you are working on a masters or a PHD. It's labor supply and demand. At this point in your life do very well at school because that is what opens the most doors.