Christian Yerelekian, a senior at the University of Notre Dame, is currently interning for Representative Rudy Yakym’s district office. A political science and Chinese double major with a constitutional studies minor, Christian’s journey has been shaped by a deep interest in political theory, policy, and public service. His experiences, spanning academic pursuits and internships in Washington, D.C., have provided him with a broad understanding of the legislative process and the significance of constituent work, all while fueling his deep commitment to helping others through both.
Originally from Los Angeles, Christian’s interest in politics began in high school. “I’ve always been interested in that world of dialogue and political theory in general,” he explained. A friend encouraged him to apply to the Tocqueville Fellowship at Notre Dame, and it became an integral part of his college experience: “Everything about the program is outstanding; each part of it is incredibly beneficial.” He highlighted the program’s emphasis on open conversations: “It’s meant a lot to me to connect with people from all walks of life. There’s real value in engaging in open conversations with people who see the world differently—it is one of the best parts of Notre Dame that I have experienced.”
His involvement in the Tocqueville Fellowship complemented his time working at the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government on campus. “Day-to-day, it was always something I looked forward to,” Christian said of his time at CCCG. "I always really enjoyed being with my coworkers and the staff–being a part of the team was truly a privilege. It was nice to see how dedicated the office is to its programs, like the Tocqueville Fellowship and the constitutional studies minor.” His work there provided him with valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes operations and extensive efforts required to reach the goals the Center sets out to achieve.
Christian has built a strong foundation in political work through multiple internships. He had his first quintessential Capitol Hill intern experience during the summer following his sophomore year. “My first internship on the Hill was a wonderful experience. It taught me the ins and outs of legislative processes,” he recalled. Later, during his junior year, he spent the fall semester interning at the Hudson Institute through Notre Dame's Washington, D.C. program, where he focused on defense policy and broadened his understanding of national security issues.
This past summer, he took on a more substantive role at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a bipartisan body created by Congress that seeks “to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms.” Christian elaborated on his time working for the commission: “It was a full hands-on experience—writing legislation, organizing hearings, meeting with staffers and different organizations. It felt like being a legislative assistant on the Hill. It was eye-opening in showing me the type of work I would want to do in the future.” Through these experiences, Christian developed a comprehensive perspective on political and legislative work, shaping his career aspirations.
His internship with Representative Yakym’s office has provided a unique perspective, offering an experience different from his time on Capitol Hill. “The opportunity to experience what it is like to work in a district office is incredibly valuable,” Christian noted. “A Capitol Hill office may mainly focus on legislative, national work, while a district office is primarily devoted to local constituent needs and concerns. Both are equally important.” He appreciates the opportunity to engage with the South Bend and Mishawaka communities through constituent work, saying, “I’ve loved my time in South Bend, and it’s a chance to give back.”
His time in Yakym’s office has reinforced the significance of constituent services to him. “There is so much value in constituent work,” he emphasized. “These are real people affected by legislation. This is why constituent work is essential. It gives humanity to the legislation. It’s not just numbers or words—it’s people’s lives.”
Compared to his previous experiences, working for a newer congressman comes with its own dynamics. “The members I worked for in D.C. had been there for a long time, but this is Rudy’s second term,” he noted, adding that “there’s definitely an exciting energy in the office of someone eager to bring good to his constituents and his country.”
Christian credits his ability to think critically and engage with diverse perspectives to his experiences in the Tocqueville Fellowship and CCCG: “When someone calls about a policy issue, even if I may not agree with them, I do my best to empathize with their perspective and understand the concerns driving their viewpoint. Tocqueville has also helped me hone in on how I present myself and speak. When I’m on the phone, I’m able to speak with clarity, confidence, and empathy.”
Reflecting on the practical skills he has developed, Christian again pointed to his experience learning to answer the phones. “I started answering the phones my sophomore year, and at first it was very overwhelming,” he admitted. “But after some time, I learned to stay calm under pressure, listen carefully, and respond thoughtfully—even when I didn’t have all the answers right away. It was always important to me to be kind to the person I was speaking to—even if they were frustrated or upset—because I understood where they were coming from and wanted to do what I could to ease their frustration. By the end of a conversation that started with someone yelling at me, they were often apologizing or even laughing.”
Looking ahead, Christian plans to continue working in government before attending law school: “Following graduation, my plan is to return to the Hill for a full-time position for some time before attending law school. So far, I’ve been very interested in constitutional law. After graduating from law school, I’m hoping to apply my legal education to work within the government in some capacity.”
His time at Notre Dame has reinforced a sense of purpose in public service and pursuing the common good: “Notre Dame is a unique school. I truly think the way the curriculum is taught, there is a sense that we are pursuing something bigger than ourselves–something that many other schools don’t quite achieve. It’s not always about your salary, or position, or prestige, but it’s about what can I do when I go into the real world to make it a better place. It doesn’t matter if you’re in business, political science, or any other discipline—it’s about pursuing the common good and being selfless. That’s part of the reason I came here.”
As Christian prepares for the next steps in his career, his experiences—from the Tocqueville Fellowship to the CCCG and his internships—have given him a strong foundation in policy, public service, and the importance of human connection in governance.
This article was contributed by CCCG Writing Fellow Brooke Collins.
To learn more about our Tocqueville Fellow, visit our webpage.