Switch user session programmatically
So first, the account switcher is for a temporary switch in the same request, to execute a specific thing as another user, it can't be used for what you want.

What Masquerade does is a lot more complicated and I don't understand why you don't just use that. Masquerade automatically adds itself to the user operations, so if you build a view that lists your users with the operations field then you will have exactly what you want to do.


  The Masquerade module allows site administrators (or anyone with
  enough permissions) to switch users and surf the site as that user (no
  password required). That person can switch back to their own user
  account at any time.