Did not yet stumble upon this thread. Amazing to see there's is so much difference in where you all work.
I'm a freelancer, working under the name StudioMIK
Worked as a graphic designer for 3 booooring years. But i quit that job to focus on what i really love to do; draw! Been doing this for 10 years now. It's still not easy to but i prefer having control over my own time and making comics.