Universe is too vast, times needed to contact intelligence outside of our heliosphere way beyond the scope of a single generation, probability of a stable environment for the few billion years needed for intelligence to develop way too high.
We may find a fossilized protoboint or self replicating molecules but we'll never meet an intelligent ET.
There are two possibilities. Either there is intelligent life out there or there isn't. Either way the realization will change our earthly attitude. If we are alone, then Hillary! is the best we can do. If we are not alone, then the other ones will either enslave us or be as confused and muddled as we are. In any case, our situation will not change except for some people including NASA employees whose brains will melt and run out their ears.