If you're still a student, a great way to get to know them is to attend the various events they organize. Many of the thinktanks I've been involved in hold events that allow students to attend for free, or at a really low cost. It's great networking (everyone else is paying quite a bit to be there) and you get to know the thinktank staff as well.

Volunteering could also be a good way to do things. Many of the people I know in political parties, NGOs, etc. know people working in thinktanks as well.

I'm not a student, and can't pay tons of money to attend either. That leaves volunteering as the only option. I'd be more than happy if I can find a good organization to volunteer with. Do you know of any?

I am afraid I can't answer your question.

But I would be cautious about wanting to work in the world of thinktanks and policy institutes. Thinktanks, like policy makers, are influenced heavily by the ideology of the donors who support them.

One way you could make a significant, positive impact on society (without compromising your conscience, I hope!) is to volunteer at your local homeless shelter.

Good luck!

I understand your point. I do spend some time volunteering - but I'd like to work for a thinktank, at least for a while. It would be a good experience, assuming it is an impartial organization. Thank you for your answer.

My first job out of school was at a thinktank. Spent a lot of time in those circles. (Defense, security, energy etc.)

It's a terrible place to actually accomplish anything. Donors exchange money (tax benefits) for furthering ideology. The metric of success is that. Not impact on society.

I got more done as a consultant than as an analyst at a think tank.

To actually do something, consider NGOs like Ushahidi.

I interned some years ago at the IHMC in Florida, and am currently working in a federally sponsored HIE workgroup. Both cases, it boiled do to who I knew, and I worked my butt off for the first few weeks getting up to speed.

Do you have a specific industry, or cause?

Environment, animals would be my first choice