In this episode, Holly Owens is joined by Nicole Poff (EDCARTA) and Nicole L’Etoile (L’Etoile Education) to break down WCAG 2.1 in plain English and talk about what actually works in real courses.

NOTE: This was previously recorded as a LinkedIn Live session

What We Talked About:

No fluff—just practical insights you can use right away.

• What WCAG 2.1 really means
• Why LMS accessibility scores aren’t enough
• Common mistakes institutions are making
• Simple, high-impact fixes you can start now
• How to make accessibility part of your workflow

Resources Shared:

• WCAG Overview (W3C)⁠

• Understanding WCAG 2.1⁠

• WebAIM Color Contrast Checker⁠

• UDL Guidelines (CAST)⁠

• L’Etoile Education (Training & Courses)⁠

• EDCARTA WCAG 2.1 Checklist

Accessibility isn’t a checkbox—it’s how we design better learning for everyone.

Follow Us ⬇️

Dr. Nicole Poff, CEO and Founder of EDCARTA

Dr. Nicole L'Etoile, Founder of L'Etoile Education

Holly Owens, EdUp L&D Host and Lead, ID at EDCARTA

🎧 Want more great content? Be sure to listen and subscribe to our show.

In this episode, Holly Owens breaks down how she landed multiple roles without submitting traditional job applications—by focusing on visibility, trust, and relationship-building instead of mass applying.

Holly shares why the “spray and pray” approach to job searching is outdated and often ineffective, especially in Learning & Development. Instead, she makes the case for showing up consistently, building genuine relationships, and becoming a known, trusted voice in your field.

Drawing from her own experiences landing roles with Yellowdig, Mars, and Lindenwood University, Holly explains how hiring decisions are often made long before a job is ever posted—and how visibility plays a major role in those opportunities finding you.

• Why mass job applications rarely work anymore

• How genuine relationship-building (especially on LinkedIn) leads to real opportunities

• The role visibility and trust play in hiring decisions

• Real examples of jobs Holly landed without applying

• Practical strategies for building an online presence that feels authentic—not performative

• Why transactional networking hurts your long-term career growth

• Start building visibility through consistent, authentic engagement

• Focus on relationships, not just résumés

• Protect your time and energy—connection beats cold outreach

• Be intentional, human, and real in how you show up

You don’t need to do everything. You need to do the right things consistently. Visibility plus authenticity compounds over time.

🔗 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn

In this engaging conversation, Holly Owens and Chelsea Maude Avirett discuss the evolving landscape of learning and development, particularly focusing on the interview process and job searching strategies. Holly shares her journey from teaching to instructional design, highlighting the importance of resources for job seekers. They explore trends in interviews, the impact of AI, and the differences between corporate and higher education interviews. Networking strategies and the significance of confidence in job searching are emphasized, encouraging listeners to value their experiences and create opportunities for themselves.

Connect with Chelsea + Access Her Resources:

• ⁠⁠⁠Skip

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chelsea on Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Holly + Access Her Resources:

• ⁠⁠⁠Holly's Coaching Services⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠Holly's "Interview Pocket Guide"⁠

• ⁠Holly's "Unlock Your L&D Career: The Ultimate Resource Guide"⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Holly on Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grab your official EdUp L&D merch here:

• ⁠⁠L&D Store Link⁠

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Episode Sponsor: iSpring Solutions

🎙️ Huge thanks to our friends at iSpring Solutions for sponsoring this episode of the EdUp L&D podcast! 🙌

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iSpring Learning Exchange Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— a vibrant space for creators, educators, and L&D pros to connect and grow.

Grateful for the support and excited to see what our community creates 💡