College students interested in careers in business journalism need to be naturally curious, a business journalist told a group of journalism students on Wednesday.

"Demonstrated that you have some natural curiosity," said Alan Wolf, an assistant business editor at The (Raleigh) News & Observer. "You need someone who knows how to ask questions."

Wolf spoke to a business reporting class at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about how the paper covers business and economic stories in the Research Triangle region. The paper has four business reporters and two editors.

Wolf said he'd also like for students interested in business journalism to show a mastery of the basics such as AP style and writing a 10-inch earnings story with an inverted pyramid structure.

When asked by the students for reporting tips, Wolf suggested that they ask for home and cell phone numbers of key sources and to develop relationships with companies so that they let you know about news before it's announced.

Wolf advised the students to read the work of two of the paper's business reporters -- David Bracken and Sue Stock.

Bracken, said Wolf, is a tremendous business journalist who is relentless in finding stories on the real estate beat.

"He is a business news junkie," said Wold. "He goes places where other reporters aren't going."

Stock, who covers retail and consumer issues, has a tremendous fan following due to her blog and weekly column that focuses on retailers that are offering sales and coupons. She recently gave a seminar in North Carolina that attracted a crowd of 300.

Wolf said his day begins at 6 a.m., when he starts reviewing competing blogs and websites for news that the paper didn't have. He said he's working harder and longer than he was five years ago because of staff cuts at the paper, but that he's enjoying his job.

Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work & Money section.