If you want to be on the cutting edge scientifically, you need to plan on a graduate degree. Find people doing the sort of research you are interested in and ask them for advice. Better yet, try to get a job in their lab. You'll have to get very specialized and the biggest discoveries will probably be using a different approach than whatever approach you're attempting. But hey, that's life, its honorable to give it a shot.

If you're more interested in the business, legal, or public policy, and/or education issues, then the hard science education probably isn't so important.

Bottom line: I suggest you say much more about the careers that interest you.